Dental Amalgam Collection

Helping protect Victoria’s environment
The water industry in Melbourne and the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch (ADAVB), in partnership with the Environment Protection Authority Victoria has launched Dentists for Cleaner Water. This program aims to promote the installation and use of amalgam separators in private sector dental practices, to help eliminate mercury from Victoria’s sewerage systems.

Amalgam separators – an important water filter
The presence of mercury in Victoria’s sewerage systems not only limits the recovery of waste, it compromises both environmental and human health. Amalgam separators help filter mercury from waste water before it reaches our sewerage systems.

The mercury problem
Mercury is being released into Victoria’s sewerage systems from a range of industrial, commercial and domestic premises. It is believed that dental practices are contributing to this problem through the extraction and treatment of amalgam fillings. Installation of amalgam separators will make a significant contribution to the process of eradicating mercury from our sewerage systems.

The solution – the Amalgam Separator Rebate scheme
The Victorian Government is offering all private sector dentists a rebate for purchasing and installing amalgam separators and entering into an amalgam waste collection agreement. The rebate is on a sliding scale; reducing over a three year period. To claim the rebate, paperwork must be completed by the dentist and the installer.

The company is currently working very hard in conjunction with the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch and CMA Eco Cycle to help set this project up and maintain it in the future. The Company will be visiting every Dental Practice in Victoria collecting the mercury accumulated under this scheme.