Abstract: A process for removing residual mercury from scrap fluorescent lamp exhaust tubulation or similar scrap glass is disclosed. A very small predetermined amount of finely divided silica or alumina powder is added to the mercury contaminated scrap glass and the mixture is agitated for a very short predetermined time during which the mercury is stripped from the tubulation. The separated mercury, powder and glass mixture is then decanted through a screen of suitable mesh to remove the separated mercury and powder from the glass and the mercury is then rinsed with a suitable solvent to remove the oxide powder from the mercury.