Covanta Energy on Saturday will be giving away $5 gift cards to Alexandria residents who drop off household devices containing mercury, including thermostats and thermometers.
Covanta, which owns and operates the I-95 Energy Resource Recovery Facility in Arlington County, will accept other recyclable disposables such as fluorescent light bulbs, but only devices with mercury will warrant a gift card.
Covanta will be making collections on Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 3224 Colvin St., Alexandria.
The event, organized by Covanta and Alexandria officials, is designed to encourage proper recycling of hazardous materials and to prevent harmful chemicals like mercury from entering the city’s waste stream.
