News & Updates


Thermostat Recycling Corp. Achieves Major Milestone: 3 Million Mercury-Containing Thermostats Collected

Posted March 8, 2024

Washington, D.C. – Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) has reached a significant achievement in environmental stewardship: the collection of 3 million mercury-containing thermostats. This milestone marks a crucial step forward in its ongoing commitment to sustainability and the protection of our planet. “This accomplishment underscores TRC’s dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainability,” said Danielle Myers, executive […]

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A Note of Thanks for Those Who Keep the Environment Safer

Posted December 18, 2023

The dust has settled, the results are in, and we have three more winners in TRC’s annual Banish Mercury Off the Planet contest. I thought that since this is a milestone year for TRC, it was appropriate to remind all of our partners of this Silver 25th anniversary, who have been at the forefront of […]

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Johnstone Supply, Refrigeration Sales Corp. and Sigler Wholesale Distributors Take Top Honors in Banish Mercury Off the Planet Contest

Posted December 4, 2023

Thermostat Recycling Corp. Lauds Members for Unflinching Support at Recycling Mercury-Containing Thermostats New York, New York — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) announced today that Johnstone Supply Co., Refrigeration Sales Corp. and Sigler Wholesale Distributors are the 2023 Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) contest winners. Overall, wholesale members of the Heating, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors […]

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A Cornucopia of Thermostat Facts

Posted November 20, 2023

For this month’s blog, I want to share with readers a potpourri of facts about thermostats. Since we think about mercury-containing thermostats every day at TRC Central, I think it might be interesting to draw attention to other aspects of the broader thermostat world. Did you know?… Now that you’ve had a short diversion about […]

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Oct. 24 is Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day

Posted October 24, 2023

Thermostat Recycling Corp. Urges Consumers & Contractors to Take a Moment to Recycle Mercury-Containing Thermostats New York — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) advises consumers to check their thermostats and recycle them if their unit contains mercury on Tuesday, Oct. 24, Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day. “TRC has successfully recycled more mercury-containing thermostats than anyone else […]

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October, 2023: A Dual Celebration

Posted October 20, 2023

TRC celebrates our Annual Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day on Oct. 24. We created this celebratory day as an outreach to consumers and HVAC contractors as a reminder of our mission: We intend to recycle and safely dispose of every unit no matter where they are. We use this day, which we “founded” in 2018, […]

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TRC Embarks on a Modern Advertising Transformation

Posted August 31, 2023

In any marketing endeavor, a paramount rule is to keep your approach relevant and engaging. This is particularly true in today’s digital age, where change and the ability to implement something new or fresh is easier and more expected than ever before. Is an Update Really Necessary? This begs the question. Is updating really necessary? […]

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Corken Steel Products: A Commitment to Sustainable Recycling of Mercury Thermostats

Posted July 13, 2023

As an active participant in the Thermostat Recycling Corporation’s (TRC) recycling program, Corken Steel Products takes a strategic approach to recycling mercury-containing thermostats. This stance is not merely about adhering to the guidelines but embodies the company’s drive for sustainable development, community enhancement, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can […]

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Green PR Tactics: Recycling Mercury Thermostats for HVAC Contractors and Wholesalers

Posted June 20, 2023

As an HVAC contractor or wholesaler, you’re well-versed in the technicalities and nuances of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry. But have you considered how your business could benefit from a strategic approach to public relations (PR), particularly when it comes to sustainable practices like recycling mercury-containing thermostats? Mercury is a toxic heavy metal […]

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A Quicksilver Thriller for TRC Supporters

Posted May 26, 2023

Most of us have heard the well-worked adage that “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life,” an observation by the eminent British writer and wit Oscar Wilde. It happens even in the world of recycling thermostats. Tom Murray, who served as a consultant to TRC for several years, has done so with his […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s Recycling Program Sees Small Decline

Posted May 11, 2023

New York, New York — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) announces the collection of 18,279 mercury-containing thermostats for the first quarter of 2023.  It is a 3.7% decline from the first quarter 2022. Pennsylvania led the way with 2,263 units collected, followed by Massachusetts at 2,122 and Minnesota at 1,954. Collecting mercury-containing thermostats is TRC’s ongoing […]

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The Importance of Our “Other” Collection Locations

Posted May 8, 2023

At TRC, we rightfully devote much attention to our wholesale partners, who provide the bedrock upon which we base our collection efforts. Without them, we would have been hard-pressed to recycle more than 2.9 million units over the past 24 years. However, other partners have contributed significantly to our efforts, and it’s appropriate that we […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp. Launches Banish Mercury Off the Planet Contest

Posted May 1, 2023

Thermostat Recycling Corp. Recognizes Wholesalers Who Are the “Champs” at Collecting Mercury-Containing Thermostats NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES, May 1, 2023 – Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) has launched its 12th annual Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) competition. The contest recognizes members of Heating Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) that collect the most mercury-containing thermostats. HARDI […]

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The Upside of the Decline

Posted April 21, 2023

If there’s any axiom in business (and in life, too), it is that an upward curve is generally beneficial. Usually, we apply that standard to increases in income, production, sales, or grades in school. In short, upwards is good. But conversely, a downward trend is seldom a reason for applause. No one wants lower grades, […]

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Walking the Path

Posted April 4, 2023

When I started working at Thermostat Recycling Corp., I was excited to join a nonprofit under the canopy of interests I had studied in college, including sustainability and other environmental issues. While TRC has a singular, arguably hyper-focused goal of finding, recovering and recycling mercury-containing thermostats, joining TRC allowed me an insider view, from the […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp. Promotes Danielle Myers to Executive Director

Posted February 22, 2023

New York, New York — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) announced today the promotion of Danielle Myers to Executive Director. Myers joined TRC in December 2016 as Executive Administrative Assistant & Office Manager and was promoted to Operations & Compliance Manager in 2018. In her new position, she will focus on the program’s performance while managing […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s Collections Decrease as Fewer Mercury-Containing Thermostats Remain to be Collected

Posted February 10, 2023

New York, New York — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) collected 28% fewer pounds of mercury from thermostats in 2022 when compared with 2021. As a result, it collected 673.83 pounds of mercury in 2022, compared with 936.59 pounds in 2021. There were 73,152 mercury-containing thermostat units collected and recycled in 2022 compared with 93,045 in […]

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A New Year’s Resolution and Another State Sunset

Posted February 1, 2023

It’s always a pleasure to begin the New Year on a high note. First, of course, a warm welcome to all who commit themselves to recycling mercury-containing thermostats. If you are a regular recycler (or have been in the past), please consider this modest suggestion. Maybe you could add it to your New Year’s resolution […]

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And the Winners Are …

Posted December 20, 2022

I recently returned from HARDI’S annual conference in Houston, dubbed “Ignite” to emphasize an explosion of energy and optimism in the HVACR wholesale business. Despite supply chain issues, the increasingly post-pandemic attitude and the business reality have merged to help infuse a burst of increased business for our HARDI partners, on whom we rely. And […]

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Johnstone Supply, Progress Supply, and Allied Refrigeration Earn Banish Mercury Off the Planet 2022 Awards

Posted December 5, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corp. Highlights Distributors for their Exceptional Efforts at Recycling Mercury-Containing Thermostats New York, NY — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) announced today that Johnstone Supply Co., Progress Supply, and Allied Refrigeration are the 2022 Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) winners. The annual competition among Heating Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) members recovered […]

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TRC & Why The Media Matters

Posted November 28, 2022

I was leafing through my stack of HVACR-related magazines (yes, I continue to read many of them in a hard copy version) and saw our press release about Oct. 24 Recycle Your Mercury-Containing Thermostat Day. I found the mention gratifying. It’s not that the trade publications covering the HVACR industry have been both generous and […]

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Ten Bin Club Members October 2022

Posted November 7, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. October’s members are: The Granite Group, Rutland, VT Scott Co. RCC, Davenport, IA Insco Distributing, Inc.- Branch 07, Victoria, TX

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Thermostat Recycling Corp. Is 24 on the 24th

Posted October 24, 2022

I hope my suggestive headline for this month’s blog hits the mark as a repetitive  attempt to remind everyone of two important dates. Several years ago, we gained official recognition that Oct. 24 would serve as our annual Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day. We created Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day as an outreach effort to […]

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Ten Bin Club Members September 2022

Posted October 21, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. September’s members are: City Of San Diego, HHW Transfer Facility, San Diego, CA Waterbury True Value, Waterbury, VT F.W. Webb Co., Barre, VT AC Pro, Riverside, CA R.E. Michel Company, Inc., Forest Park, GA Baker Distributing Co., Gainesville, […]

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The Ten Bin Club

Posted September 22, 2022

Members Welcomed Ever go to a website and move beyond the usual landing page? Suddenly you’re meandering digitally and find yourself on a page you were unfamiliar with. It’s always a pleasant sensation when you think: “I never knew that.”  I’ve often wondered how many of our members have searched our website and landed on […]

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Ten Bin Club Members August 2022

Posted September 14, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. August’s members are: Johnstone Supply, Pensacola, FL United Refrigeration, Inc.‎, Palm Desert, CA Johnstone Supply, Bakersfield, CA Goodman Distribution, Inc.‎, Los Angeles, CA R.E. Michel Company, Inc, Lexington, KY Thrifty Supply, Sacramento, CA Goodman Dist., Montclair, CA Goodman […]

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Johnstone Supply Leads TRC’s Banish Mercury Off the Planet Contest 

Posted August 25, 2022

New York — Johnstone Supply leads Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) contest after almost three months of the competition. In second place is R.E. Michel Co., followed by Ferguson. “While there has been a slight decrease in collections compared with last year’s results during the same period, we are pleased to […]

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Ten Bin Club Members July 2022

Posted August 18, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. July’s members are: White & Shauger, Inc.‎, Paterson, NJ Landfill Of North Iowa Rcc, Clear Lake, IA Johnstone Supply, Tonawanda, NY United Refrigeration, Inc.‎, Charlotte, NC Lennox Stores, Columbus, OH Moore Supply Company, Mundelein, IL Rise Engineering, Cranston, […]

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Banishing Mercury Off the Planet?

Posted August 4, 2022

TRC has promoted the BMOP contest since 2011. Since the beginning, the idea has been to recognize HARDI wholesalers who have been the most diligent about collecting and sending mercury-containing thermostats to TRC for safe recycling. This led us to the belief that offering public recognition was appropriate for those who made the effort. After […]

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Ten Bin Club Members June 2022

Posted July 20, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. June’s members are: Johnstone Supply, Dania Beach, FL Aubuchon Hardware, Waterville, ME W.L. Engler Distributing Inc.‎, Chicago, IL Sid Harvey Industries, Weymouth, MA RSD, Portland, OR

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Check Out the View

Posted June 28, 2022

I happen to be back in our NYC office today, and the view out my window looks vastly ‎different than the view I typically have while working from home. Ever look out the window ‎‎(assuming you have one) at work and wonder who is engaged in a similar task that you face ‎almost every day? […]

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Ten Bin Club Members May 2022

Posted June 14, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. May’s members are: Home Works Energy Inc.‎, Woburn, MA Columbus Temperature Control, Columbus, OH Munch’s Supply Co, Morris, IL Goodman Distribution, Inc.‎, Roseville, CA U.S. Air Conditioning Distributors (USACD)‎, San Bernardino, CA Johnstone Supply, Raleigh, NC Illco Inc, […]

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Recycling Trends: What to Expect

Posted May 26, 2022

When writing about yearly trends, the usual practice is to pen or post them during the first few months of a new year. However, I came across an interesting review of recycling trends in Recycle Coach that are worthy of attention and great to drop in a conversation. It’ll show how smart you are and […]

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Ten Bin Club Members April 2022

Posted May 16, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. April’s members are: R.E. Michel Company, Inc, Cumberland, MD Goodman Distribution, Inc., Sacramento, CA South Side Control Supply Co.‎, Morton Grove, IL Bay West Inc, St Paul, MN Baker Distribution, Hendersonville, NC

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Banish Mercury Off the Planet 

Posted May 1, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corp. Announces Annual Contest Recognizing the Best Wholesalers at Collecting Mercury-Containing Thermostats  New York, New York — Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) has launched its 11th annual Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) competition.   The contest recognizes members of Heating Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) that collect the most mercury-containing thermostats.  HARDI is the largest and […]

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Happy Earth Day

Posted April 22, 2022

Every April 22, we celebrate Earth Day. Given the mission of TRC, it should be no surprise that we support this celebratory event every year. After all, you could make the case that we participate in Earth Day every day. A little history is in order. Earth Day started in April 1970 with the idea […]

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Ten Bin Club Members March 2022

Posted April 15, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. March’s members are: Johnstone Supply, Mentor, OH Lennox Industries Inc.‎, Milwaukee, WI United Refrigeration, Cranbury, NJ R.E. Michel Company, Inc, Richmond, VA The Granite Group, Plainfield, CT Pope Douglas Solid Waste ‎Management, Alexandria, MN

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Ten Bin Club Members February 2022

Posted March 18, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. February’s members are: Gensco, Boise, ID Aubuchon Hardware, Wells, ME R.E. Michel, Elmira, NY Burke Heat, Hawthorne, NY Penstan Supply, Div. Of Hajoca Corp.‎, Indiana, PA

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Thermostat Questions You Always Had but Didn’t Ask

Posted February 15, 2022

OK, you might know some of the answers, but we thought a fun-filled moment about unknown (or little-known) factoids about thermostats might be entertaining and exciting. And if you’re on the TV game show and you get hit with a thermostat-related question and you need to answer … well, we’ve just given you a head […]

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Ten Bin Club Members January 2022

Posted February 11, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. January’s members are: F.W. Webb, Woburn, MA City Of Austin Household Hazardous Waste, Austin, TX S. G. Torrice Corp, Hudson, NH

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It’s New Year’s Resolution Time And …‎

Posted January 26, 2022

As you know, bettering your health is a popular resolution, and after thinking it through, I decided we can fit TRC into your New Year’s resolution too. Living sustainably has become a trend in recent years, even for those who didn’t understand what that meant five or 10 years ago. Well … my easy addition […]

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Ten Bin Club Members December 2021

Posted January 21, 2022

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. December’s members are: Goodman Distribution, ‎Inc.‎, Swansea, IL United Refrigeration, Kinston , NC R.E. Michel Company, Inc, Danville, VA Connor Co, Quincy, IL Geary Pacific Supply, Van Nuys, CA

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A Hearty HARDI Returns to the Conference ‘Table’‎

Posted December 17, 2021

Finally, all of us got together. After an absence of nearly two years, I attended the HARDI conference in Palm Desert, California, this month. It was refreshing to mix with the HVACR wholesale industry’s most talented and successful distributors. HARDI’s members have been the backbone of our collection efforts, and it’s been a while since […]

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Ten Bin Club Members November 2021

Posted December 15, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. November’s members are: Rogers Supply, Peoria, IL Allied Refrigeration, San Leandro, CA Munch’s Supply Co, Chicago, IL United Refrigeration, Broomall, PA Ac Supply Company, Fort Worth, TX Cfm Equipment Distributors, Inc.‎, Sacramento, CA Carrier Enterprise, West Caldwell, NJ […]

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Johnstone Supply, Famous Supply and Geary Pacific Earn Banish Mercury Off the Planet 2021 Awards

Posted December 6, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corp. Highlights Members for their Exceptional Efforts at Recycling Mercury-Containing Thermostats New York, NY — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) announced today that Johnstone Supply, Famous Supply and Geary Pacific ‎are the 2021 Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) winners. ‎ The annual competition among Heating Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) members recovered […]

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Ten Bin Club Members October 2021

Posted November 12, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. October’s members are: F.W. Webb Co.‎, Saint Albans, VT Johnson Supply, Lafayette, LA R.E. Michel Company, Inc, Uniontown, PA Blodgett Supply, Williston, VT Black Hills Energy , Rapid City, SD Sid Harvey Industries, Lombard, IL Moore Supply Company, […]

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It’s HARDI Conference Time (Finally)‎

Posted October 28, 2021

Well, after what seems like forever, HVACR industry leaders will again gather at HARDI’s annual conference, Dec. 4 to 7, in Palm Desert, California. HARDI has a reputation for having the HVACR industry’s most insightful and broad-ranging content in its educational sessions. We always appreciate learning new ideas and sharing practices that make us better […]

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Oct. 24 is Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day

Posted October 22, 2021

TRC Asks  Consumers & Contractors to Safely Recycle Mercury-Containing Thermostats New York — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) urges consumers to examine their thermostats and recycle them if their unit contains mercury on Sunday, Oct. 24, Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day. “TRC has recycled millions of mercury-containing thermostats, yet we continue in our mission to find […]

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Ten Bin Club Members September 2021

Posted October 15, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. September’s members are: Johnstone Supply, El Cajon, CA Buckley Parnell Heat & Air, Citrus Heights, CA BGE Home, Baltimore, MD Johnstone Supply, Odessa, TX Wholesale Solutions, Napa, CA Gensco, Seattle, WA Johnstone Supply Co, Appleton, WI

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Johnstone Supply Leads TRC’s Banish Mercury Off the Planet Contest ‎

Posted September 29, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corp. Sees Increase in Recycling Efforts New York — Johnstone Supply leads Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) contest after almost five months of the competition. In second place is R.E. Michel Co., followed by Famous Supply Co. “This uptick in collections compared with our previous report in June demonstrates […]

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Recycling Myths: Separating Fact From Fiction

Posted September 20, 2021

At TRC, we spend a lot of time promoting our cause—the safe recycling of mercury-containing thermostats—and implicitly suggesting a personal commitment to environmental stewardship. In a sense, most of us, I presume, make some efforts at personal recycling. But a few decades ago, did anyone see those recycling arrows on a plastic container sharing the […]

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Ten Bin Club Members August 2021

Posted September 13, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. August’s members are: • R.E. Michel Company, Gaithersburg, MD• Waupaca County Processing & Transfer Facility, Manawa, WI• Homer Nine And Sons, Beaver, PA• Service Plus, Sparta, WI

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What Makes for a Great Thermostat Day?‎

Posted August 31, 2021

Each of us has those moments of joy and zest in our respective professions and personal lives when events seem to align and work together in perfect harmony. It’s when every piece of the jigsaw puzzle fits quickly and easily. Imagine the delight I felt when I received an email a few months into our […]

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Ten Bin Club Members July 2021

Posted August 13, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. July’s members are: • Pauls Sheet Metal, Inc., Rice Lake, WI• Johnstone Supply, Elkhart, IN• Johnstone Supply, Butler, PA• Johnstone Supply, Grand Rapids, MI• S P S Companies, Inc., St Cloud, MN

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Johnstone Supply Leads TRC’s Banish Mercury Off the Planet Contest ‎

Posted July 30, 2021

New York, July 29, 2021— Johnstone Supply leads Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) contest after two months of the competition. In second place is R.E. Michel Co., followed by Auer Steel & Heating Supply. The continued support and participation by HARDI wholesalers demonstrate their commitment to a greener environment,” said Danielle […]

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That’s a Very “Cool” House You’re Buying

Posted July 12, 2021

Unless you’ve been at the beach in some foreign land, you’ve probably heard about the crazy rise in home prices. For example, a subhead in the Wall Street Journal recently noted that midpoint home purchase costs rise 24% to pass $350,000 for first time, squeezing buyers. Buying a home is on many people’s minds because […]

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Ten Bin Club Members June 2021

Posted July 11, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. June’s members are: Home Works Energy Inc., Woburn, MA AC Pro, Anaheim, CA Biben’s Home Center, N. Springfield, VT R.E. Michel Company, Inc., Norristown, PA R.E. Michel Company, Inc, Newport News, VA United Refrigeration, Springfield, MA

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Why the TRC Partnership Works for Everyone

Posted June 22, 2021

Did you ever have a task you thought would be simple, and then ‎once you began, you realized you had seriously misjudged the ‎complexity? Sometimes even seemingly simple tasks require many ‎hands.‎ On the surface, our focus is to advance a singular goal: the ‎collection of mercury-containing thermostats. As an objective, it’s ‎hard to get […]

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Ten Bin Club Members May 2021

Posted June 16, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. May’s members are: Goodman Distribution, Inc., Philadelphia, PA Crescent Parts & Equipment Company, Belleville, IL Johnstone Supply Co, Omaha, NE Crescent Parts & Equipment, Pontoon Beach, IL Us Air Conditioning Distributors (USACD), Newbury Park, CA Johnstone Supply, Wichita, […]

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Ten Bin Club Members April 2021

Posted May 26, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. April’s members are: Connor Co, Mattoon, IL R.E. Michel Company, Inc, Lancaster, PA United Refrigeration, Inc., Murrieta, CA Aubuchon Hardware, Waterville, ME Johnstone Supply, Westlake Village, CA R.E. Michel Company, Inc, Rochester, NY United Refrigeration Inc., Danville, IL

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Thermostat Recycling Corp. Launches Annual Contest Honoring Wholesalers That Lead ‎at Collecting Mercury-Containing Thermostats

Posted May 3, 2021

New York, New York — Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) has launched its 10th annual Banish Mercury Off the Planet competition. The contest recognizes members of Heating Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) that collect the most mercury-containing thermostats. HARDI is the largest and most successful trade association representing HVACR distributors in the United States. “The coronavirus had an […]

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The TRC’s Role in Environmental Justice

Posted April 28, 2021

We have heard much about justice in recent days, and this emphasis dovetailed last week — April 21 — with Earth Day. The connection? While seemingly unrelated, there is a connective tissue to the two and we call it environmental justice. This is not some esoteric term but rather a genuine concern of many, including […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp. Launches Redesigned Website

Posted April 26, 2021

Website Offers Improved Accessibility for Stakeholders and Consumers New York, N.Y. — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC), the country’s largest recycler of mercury-containing thermostats, has launched a redesigned website. A desire to improve functionality prompted the redesign. TRC wanted to make it easier for consumers and stakeholders to visit the website and access useful tools and […]

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The Website is a Changing

Posted March 24, 2021

In last month’s blog, I wrote about adapting to change and shared TRC’s efforts to meet new challenges, even though our primary goal tends to be more singular than most organizations. Well, this month’s blog follows the same theme. We are updating our website, which will provide a  fresher and cleaner look. When people say […]

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Do You Sense Change in the Air?‎

Posted February 26, 2021

I recently attended the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference — virtually, of course. Its four days were replete with various programs directed toward the energy industry, focusing on raising awareness and reinforcing the importance of energy efficiency in the Midwest. Topics ranged from “No Wires, No Problem. Non-wires Solutions for Optimizing the Grid” and “How Can […]

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The Anticipation of 2021‎

Posted January 29, 2021

As I write this blog, I wonder whether impending changes are amounting to heightened anticipation for 2021. That is most definitely the case for me, even though one month in, it seems we are still in that holding pattern. Now is as good a time as any to give you a glimpse of our trajectory […]

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Ten Bin Club Members December 2020

Posted January 19, 2021

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. December’s members are: Geary Pacific Supply, Riverside, CA American Refrigeration Supplies, Inc.‎, Corona, CA Slakey Brothers, Santa Rosa, CA RSD, Lake Forest , CA Tropic Supply Inc.‎, Delray Beach, FL Refrigeration Supplies Distributor (RSD)‎, Sacramento, CA Goodman Distribution, […]

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Robert Johnson, Environmental Leader, Rejoins Thermostat Recycling Corp. Board of Directors

Posted January 15, 2021

New York — Robert Johnson, manager of Environmental Affairs at LennoxInternational Inc., has rejoined Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s (TRC) Board ofDirectors as treasurer effective October, 2020.“We are pleased to welcome Bob back to TRC’s board of directors,” saidDanielle Myers, operations and compliance manager, TRC.“He brings with him a wealth of experience, a strategic view that supports […]

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Conference Realities During the Pandemic

Posted December 22, 2020

I attended the virtual 2020 HARDI Summit, which like much of this year was different from previous conferences. HARDI has a deserved reputation for intense educational tracks that touch virtually every facet of the HVACR wholesale business. HARDI had to change the conference to a virtual one late in the game, given the pandemic’s realities. […]

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Ten Bin Club Members November 2020

Posted December 15, 2020

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. November’s members are: South Side Control Supply Co., Des Plaines, IL Aireco Supply, Inc., Woodbridge, VA Supply New England, Warwick, RI Simon’s Supply Co Inc, Pawtucket, RI

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It’s OK to Fall For It

Posted December 13, 2020

We know the slogan (some would say a cliché) that “fall is in the air.” Indeed, it becomes a predictable refrain every autumn, as temperatures cool, and leaves begin to cover lawns. This particular fall (yes, I realized that it actually started back on Sept. 22), I can’t help thinking about this changing season and […]

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Johnstone Supply, APCO Inc. and Allied Refrigeration Earn Banish Mercury Off the Planet Top Awards

Posted December 7, 2020

Thermostat Recycling Corp. Lauds Members for their Exceptional Efforts at Recycling Mercury-Containing Thermostat New York, NY — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) announced today that Johnstone Supply, APCO Inc. and Allied Refrigeration are the 2020 Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) winners. The annual competition among Heating Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) members recovered 222.95 […]

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Ten Bin Club Members October 2020

Posted November 10, 2020

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. October’s members are: G.W. Berkheimer Co, Inc., Lombard, IL Johnson Supply, Houston, TX Illco Inc, Aurora, IL Bibens Ace Hills Hardware, Burlington, VT Bg Distributors, Louisville, IL Sid Harvey Industries, York, PA

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Let’s Get Familiar Again

Posted November 2, 2020

When is the last time you visited Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s website? It might seem odd that I would devote a blog to suggesting that you should tour it again. The typical response might be a friendly “I’ve been there, done that.” I would suggest there is more to our website than you know or remember. […]

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Oct. 24 is Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day

Posted October 23, 2020

TRC Urges Consumers & Contractors to Safely Recycle Mercury Containing Thermostats New York — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) urges consumers to examine their thermostats and recycle them if their unit contains mercury. Mercury was a component in millions of thermostats until the industry discontinued the practice. U.S. manufacturers stopped making them between 2004 and 2007, […]

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Ten Bin Club Members September 2020

Posted October 13, 2020

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. September’s member is: Ferguson, San Luis Obispo, CA

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Danielle Myers, Operations Compliance Manager, Thermostat Recycling Corp. Receives the News ‘40 Under 40’ Award

Posted September 29, 2020

New York, Sept. 29, 2020 — Danielle Myers, operations & compliance manager, Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC), was recently recognized as one of The News recipients of its “40 Under 40” award. “It is easy to forget how many young people are doing truly great things for the industry,” according to Kyle Gargaro, editorial director of […]

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Ten Bin Club Members August 2020

Posted September 16, 2020

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. August’s members are: Environmental Projects Inc., Auburn, ME Slakey Brothers, Grass Valley, CA Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, Minneapolis, MN

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Johnstone Supply Leads TRC’s Banish Mercury Off the Planet Contest

Posted August 31, 2020

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Johnstone Supply leads Thermostat Recycling Corp.’sBanish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) contest after three months of the competition. In second place is R.E. Michel Co., followed by Rogers Supply Co. “We are encouraged that our wholesale partners continue to be vigilant and active participants in removing and recycling these thermostats from the waste stream,” […]

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How Good Are You, Really?

Posted August 26, 2020

ecause we’re a country obsessed with measuring performance — grades, income, how many steps we walk — it’s inevitable that TRC also measures things. We do it mostly for practical, sound reasons. We track our performance, thus allowing us to measure whether we meet our goals, which is particularly important to our contributing partners. It […]

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Ten Bin Club Members July 2020

Posted August 12, 2020

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. July’s members are: A.B. May Co., Kansas City, MO R.E. Michel Co. Inc., Beckley, WV Rise Engineering, Hyannis, MA T.F. Ehrhart Co., Quincy, IL United Refrigeration, Jackson, TN

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TRC’s Frequently Asked Questions: Part II

Posted August 5, 2020

This past spring, I posted a blog that addressed many of the questions sent to TRC. Unsurprisingly, we placed those questions under the heading of FAQs. Then, while mulling over a topic for my next blog, it occurred to me that we still had a plethora of questions that remain unanswered. These questions make up the bulk […]

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I Heard You on the Podcast

Posted July 29, 2020

If you haven’t listened to a podcast recently, the smart money says you will. Podcasts continue to be one of the fastest-growing platforms of new digital media, an easy way to reach customers, clients and people with a common interest or just to hear yourself expound on virtually any topic.  About 26% of Americans listen […]

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Men and Women Face Off Searching for the Perfect Room Temperature

Posted July 21, 2020

In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, The Numbers columnist Jo Craven McGinty reviewed various studies that examined the effects of temperature on the sexes. And because TRC is always interested in anything thermostat-related and their impact on people, we found some of the conclusions fascinating. It also addresses the age-old question of […]

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TRC: A YouTube Star?

Posted July 8, 2020

Throughout the communications emanating from Thermostat Recycling Corp., whether it’s newsletters, press releases or blogs, we have tried to capture the story of our mission. In our efforts, we have explained our recycling program, written profiles of people in the recycling community, and penned how-to articles about the recycling process. All of these —and many […]

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Thermostat Recycling and the Coronavirus

Posted July 1, 2020

Sometimes, the impact of events takes days, weeks, and even years before we digest its full implication. Supporting this observation is the Wall Street Journal, which for several weeks wrote short articles about the transformation in individuals’ lives that occurred within weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus has had that effect on TRC, especially […]

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Sustainability and the “New Normal”

Posted June 2, 2020

So, if you have been following the news on the pandemic, you will have heard that when all is said and done, we will be entering a “new normal”.  Frankly, I rather enjoyed the old normal.  However, be that as it may be, let’s talk a bit about the new normal and how sustainability might […]

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Public Relations 101 For Contractors During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Posted May 6, 2020

The coronavirus’ sudden impact on many businesses, including HVACR contractors, has been tumultuous. Yet they are still a necessity for families who need comfort, a condition that they will begin to feel is more important as temperatures turn warmer. The single most crucial element HVAC contractors can convey to customers — both past and new […]

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Celebrating our Earth, Now More Than Ever

Posted April 22, 2020

I am sure he read the newspapers and listened to the news that Sunday in June 1969. The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland had caught fire due to an oil slick on the river caused by decades of industrial waste discharged into it by nearby manufacturing plants.  Would this be the event that would ignite an environmental […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s Recycling Program Declines 19%

Posted April 20, 2020

ohnstone Supply Leads TRC’s 1st Quarter Thermostat Recycling Efforts New York, New York — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) collections have decreased 18.68% in its first-quarter collection efforts between Jan. 1 and March 31. It collected 39,611 mercury-containing thermostats compared with 48,709 during the same period in 2019. The average number of bins processed has declined by […]

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Guest Blog – Wisps of Wisdom for Working at Home

Posted April 8, 2020

Working from home for the first time? Here are 11 time-tested rules I learned from years of avoiding the office. Don’t do the laundry. Don’t laugh. It’s amazing how easy it is to do household tasks during a break. Of course, that pause is 15 minutes, and it’s the third one you’ve had, pushing you […]

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The Mystery 3%

Posted March 31, 2020

It’s a mystery. We’re still asking ourselves, where did that mysterious 3% increase come from? In our January press release, we wrote about the number of mercury-containing thermostats that TRC recycled last year. The essence of the press release was this: “There were 160,735 converted mercury thermostats collected and recycled in 2019 compared with 155,808  […]

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My Frequently Asked Questions

Posted March 16, 2020

While I regularly deal with wholesalers, manufacturers and recycling centers, consumers approach me via email, on the phone and even in person. Here are the questions I most frequently hear. I’ve had the same thermostat for years; do I have to change or upgrade? No, you don’t have to change or upgrade. If your current […]

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The Power of a Single Word: Stewardship

Posted February 14, 2020

This blog is not about chest-thumping or giddy high fives. Rather, it’s a salute to that rare moment where you can condense everything that you do, work at and believe in with a single word. For us at Thermostat Recycling Corp. that single word is stewardship. The reason I raise this issue is to stress […]

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Help Us to Help You

Posted January 22, 2020

If you’ve seen the movie “Jerry McGuire,” there’s a scene where McGuire (Tom Cruise), as a sports agent, implores his client, football star Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), with “help me help you.” What he wants from Tidwell — begging literally on his knees — is for him to act in a manner that will […]

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TRC, HARDI & the Networking Advantage

Posted December 27, 2019

After my return from the Heating, Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) conference early this month, I found myself reviewing the impact of TRC’s presence. Throughout the year, people will ask me why we attend various conferences.  I thought the approaching New Year was a good time to reacquaint our partners, wholesalers and contractors with why […]

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Johnstone Supply, Dubuque Supply and Johnson Supply Earn Top Awards for TRC’s Collection Efforts

Posted December 13, 2019

New York, NY — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) announced that Johnstone Supply, Dubuque Supply and Johnson Supply are the 2019 Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) winners. The annual competition among Heating Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) members recovered 342.06 pounds of mercury from 85 member companies.  Over 500 branch locations returned collection bins […]

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TRC’s Measurement Trail: Conducting the Audit

Posted November 21, 2019

In business, there is theory, and then there is, as we all know, the reality. Sometimes the two don’t connect in a desired fashion. Other times, however, when disparate elements work in harmony as projected, you have that glorious glow because a business plan comes together. The audit day started inauspiciously.  I arrived in Port […]

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Dwyer Instruments Inc. Joins Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s Partnership Program

Posted November 14, 2019

New York, NY — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) announced today that Dwyer Instruments Inc. has joined the organization’s partnership program to support TRC’s mission of promoting the safe collection and proper disposal of mercury-containing thermostats.  Dwyer Instruments, based in Michigan City, Indiana, is a global leader in designing and manufacturing innovative controls, sensors and instrumentation […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s Recycling Program Increases 3% Through Third Quarter

Posted November 8, 2019

Johnstone Supply Continues to Lead TRC’s Thermostat Recycling Efforts New York, NY — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) collections have increased 3% in its third-quarter collection efforts between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30. Year-to-date, Johnstone Supply leads the pack of collection locations where at least one thermostat was recycled, followed by R.E. Michel and Wheelabrator. The […]

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Celebrate America Recycles Day On November 15

Posted November 7, 2019

America Recycles Day falls on November 15 each year! In an effort to keep America beautiful, it’s important to recycle what you can, as often as you can. This day is the only nationally recognized day that encourages, educates and motivates Americans to recycle and/or purchase recycled goods. You can celebrate by organizing or attending a recycling event.  Here […]

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Celebrate Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day

Posted October 24, 2019

New York — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) reminds consumers every Oct. 24, Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day, to inspect their thermostats and determine if they have a model that contains mercury. The continued growth of programmable and smart thermostats translates into more consumers replacing their existing units, yet consumers are sometimes unaware of how to […]

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How Does Canada Do It?

Posted October 17, 2019

There is an adage that we often don’t look outside the confines of our own experience to see how others perform in the same field or industry as we do. Recently, I wondered about the finer points of how Canada implements its mercury-containing thermostat recycling program, especially because TRC has a link to our neighbor’s […]

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The ‘Utility’ of Speaking Out

Posted October 16, 2019

Sometimes all it takes is a day or two out of the office to remember why what you do is so important. Working hour by hour in our own little cells can be very productive, but also seclusive. I was able to have that day or two the other week in Denver, Colorado. I’ve returned […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corporation Attends NAHMMA And E Source Forum

Posted September 27, 2019

Last week, Thermostat Recycling Corporation attended two conferences, NAHMMA and the E Source Forum. NAHMMA is the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association, dedicated to preventing pollution and promoting safe and cost-effective methods of handling household hazardous waste. The E Source Forum provides research and guidelines for utilities and their customer base.  This information allows […]

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UN Climate Action Summit 2019

Posted September 25, 2019

The UN Climate Action Summit 2019 took place in New York City Sept.21-Sept. 23. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on leaders to step up to the plate on Sept. 23 with “concrete, realistic plans to enhance their nationally determined contributions by 2020, in line with reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent over the […]

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New and Returning Ten Bin Club Members August 2019

Posted September 13, 2019

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. Southern Refrigeration Corp. of Winchester, VA Aireco Supply, Inc. of Forestville, MD Southern Refrigeration Corp. of Manassas, VA Johnson Supply of San Antonio, TX R.E. Michel Company, Inc. of Charleston, WV Warren Heating & Air Conditioning of Madison, […]

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Iowa Governor Sets End Date for Mercury Thermostat Regulation

Posted September 11, 2019

In May, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law an omnibus appropriations bill with a provision establishing a “sunset date” that will end the statewide legal mandate to collect and recycle mercury-switch thermostats on Jan. 1, 2022. This repeal directly affects the entire spectrum of businesses that are part of the thermostat industry, including manufacturers, […]

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Eco Trends For 2020?

Posted August 28, 2019

We constantly update our readers and partners about what TRC is doing to keep the environment safe, focusing on our specialty, mercury-containing thermostats. We’ve also written environment-related articles that identify, for example, the friendliest environmental states. All this raises a basic question as we approach our 21st anniversary: What are the recycling or environmental trends […]

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New and Returning Ten Bin Club Members July 2019

Posted August 15, 2019

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC this July are: R.E. Michel Company, Inc. of Annapolis, MD Pick Shovel of Newport, VT Gensco of Kennewick, WA 2-J Supply Company of Dayton, OH Sid Harvey Industries of Duluth, MN City of Sacramento Phhwcf of Sacramento, CA […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s Recycling Program Increases 5% MidYear

Posted August 14, 2019

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) collections have increased 5% in its midyear collection efforts between Jan. 1 and June 30. Year-to-date, Johnstone Supply leads the pack of collection locations where at least one thermostat was recycled, followed by R.E. Michel and Wheelabrator. The top 10 list and the number of thermostats they collected […]

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How Eco-Friendly is Your State?

Posted July 29, 2019

Throughout TRC’s existence (we’re about to celebrate 21 years), we’ve been committed to our efforts to identify, collect and recycle mercury-containing thermostats. However, a recent article on the WalletHub website got me thinking about our broader environmental picture. We are a segment of the environmental ecology stream, committed to responsibly eliminating our targeted thermostats. In […]

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New and Returning Ten Bin Club Members June 2019

Posted July 18, 2019

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. AC Pro of Chino, CA Auburn Mall of Auburn, ME Peak Mechanical of Waterbury, VT AC Pro of Oceanside, CA New members who joined Thermostat Recycle Corporation’s 10 Bin Club and have committed to return ten recycling bins […]

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Uncovering the “Mystery” Behind Our Recycling Center

Posted June 24, 2019

Throughout all our communications, regardless of the platform, we almost always refer to our recycling center in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Over the years, it also has had a dash of the mysterious because people seldom ask, “what happens there?” and most are unaware of the nuts and bolts that take place. It reminds us of […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp. Launches Annual Contest Honoring Wholesalers

Posted June 17, 2019

Banish Mercury Off the Planet Thermostat Recycling Corp. Launches Annual Contest Honoring Wholesalers Excelling at Collecting Mercury-Containing Thermostats Fort Washington, Pennsylvania — Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) has launched its eighth annual Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) competition. The contest recognizes members of Heating Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) that collect the most mercury-containing thermostats. HARDI […]

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Five Return and Twenty Join The TRC 10 Bin Club

Posted May 14, 2019

Thermostat Recycling Corporation honors partners who have returned ten recycling bins over their lifetime partnership with TRC. Five have return this April. Heating & Cooling LLC #825 in Chatsworth, CA City of Brockton Recycle Depot in Brockton, MA Martin’s Hardware & Building Supply, Inc. in Middlebury, VT United Refrigeration in Irwindale, CA Sid Harvey Industries […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corp.‘s Recycling Program Increases 6% in First Quarter

Posted May 8, 2019

Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) collections have increased 6% in its first-quarter collection efforts between Jan. 1 and March 31. It collected 48,639 mercury-containing thermostats compared with 45,703 during the same period in 2018. During the first quarter, Johnstone Supply leads the list of 687 wholesale branch collection locations where at least one thermostat was recycled, followed […]

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TRC Makes an Impression in the EPA’s Smart Sectors Program

Posted May 6, 2019

It would be challenging to think of a more cliché driven-subject than the issue of better communications in the business world. Yet all of us know that misunderstanding, misinterpretation, prejudice and reinforcement of what we want to believe end up playing a negative role in slowing up progress toward effective communications. We see it on […]

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On This Day: The Paris Agreement

Posted April 22, 2019

On April 22, 2016 (Earth Day), signatories from 196 countries came together to sign the Paris Agreement. This historic agreement is a global effort to combat climate change and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the key elements of the agreement are as follows: Not allowing the global temperature to increase by 2°C (3.6°F) above […]

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Environmental Milestones: Obama Signs Wilderness Protection Bill

Posted April 11, 2019

Ten years ago, President Barack Obama signed a wilderness protection bill that became law on March 30, 2009. The Omnibus Public Land Management Act. In tandem with this bill, the National Conservation Lands (formerly known as the National Landscape Conservation System) was also signed into law. This law protects precious land from being developed for […]

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Six Return and Nine Join the TRC 10 Bin Club

Posted April 10, 2019

Congratulations those returning and new to the TRC 10 Bin Club this past February! Whether they are new or returning, they have committed their organizations to returning 10 recycling bins to TRC through their lifetime partnership. Our returning members are Johnstone Supply Co. in Irwindale, CA, Allied Refrigeration in Los Angeles, CA, Corken Steel in […]

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The TRC You Don’t Know

Posted March 7, 2019

Have you ever had an event for which you were responsible, from the initial planning stages to its completion? Even if you delegated all the duties and didn’t have to complete each action item personally, a scrutiny of the list? — is it done yet — hangs heavy over your concern for success. Sometimes the […]

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TRC Launches Executive Director Search

Posted February 26, 2019

POSITION SUMMARYThe Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that the Association serves the needs and interests of the Thermostat Recycling Corporation’s (TRC) membership pursuant to the organization’s mission, bylaws, and as directed by the Board of Directors (Board), which is the primary policy-setting body of the Association. The Executive Director ensures that the programs, activities, […]

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TRC Recycles 140,993 Mercury Containing Thermostats

Posted February 21, 2019

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania — The price of success in 2018 for recycling mercury containing thermostats, resulted in 140,993 units collected, a continued decrease from its peak year in 2014, according to Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC).  “We have collected more than 2.5 million mercury containing thermostats in the 20-plus years of our existence and have had […]

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TRC’s Executive Director Resigns

Posted February 19, 2019

I am announcing the resignation of Thermostat Recycling Corporation’s Executive Director, Ryan Kiscaden, effective March 5th, 2019.  Ryan is leaving TRC to assume a marketing leadership role with a HVACR manufacturer. TRC’s Board of Directors will commence a search for a successor immediately.  During the recruitment process, you can direct questions to me and the […]

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ACCA Members Contribute Significant Number of Mercury Containing Thermostats to TRC Recycling Effort

Posted January 24, 2019

Thermostat Recycling Corp. Applauds ACCA Members’ Exceptional Effort Fort Washington, Pennsylvania — A recent review by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) shows that its members are some of the nation’s top recyclers of mercury containing thermostats that are included in the Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s (TRC) collection efforts. TRC maintains a network of more […]

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TRC Applauds Illinois’ New Mercury Containing Thermostat Regulations

Posted December 31, 2018

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania —During a recent review of its plan for recycling mercury containing thermostats, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency changed the goals set under the state’s Thermostat Collection Act for the years 2015 to 2020. The amended guidelines acknowledge that the original numerical collection goals calling for a specific number of mercury containing thermostats […]

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How Did TRC and the Industry Perform in 2018? We Share the Good News

Posted December 18, 2018

After returning from the HARDI conference in early December, I put my feet up on the office desk, lit up my imaginary calabash pipe favored by Sherlock Holmes and allowed myself a long-needed rumination about TRC’s activities and victories this past year. Maybe it’s the holiday season, but I had my thankful hat on as […]

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TRC Announces BMOP 2018 Winner

Posted December 3, 2018

TRC held its annual BMOP (Banish Mercury Off the Planet) competition.  This award recognizes HARDI wholesale members in three ways:  The wholesaler who recycles the most pounds of mercury, overall; the wholesaler that recycles the highest average pounds of mercury; and the wholesaler with the highest branch participation (for those with more than 10 locations). […]

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Springfield, IL Residents: Get Rid of Hazardous Waste on November 3rd

Posted October 28, 2018

Springfield, IL residents can safely and properly dispose of hazardous waste and materials on November 3, 2018.  The city of Springfield has scheduled a hazardous waste collection event for city residents from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Residents wanting to participate must obtain a voucher. Vouchers will be […]

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The TWENTY Bin Club

Posted October 27, 2018

Congratulations and thank you to the following colelction partners who, over their lifetime participation in the TRC program, have returned TWENTY collection bins!  We wanted to make a special point of calling out these amazing organizations as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary year.  AIRECO SUPPLY INC., WHITE PLAINS, MDFIRST SUPPLY EAU CLAIRE    EAU CLAIRE, WIJA […]

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TRC Celebrates 20 Years

Posted October 24, 2018

Today, Oct. 24, is the 20th anniversary of Thermostat Recycling Corp.’s founding. This milestone event offers the perfect opportunity to cast a long glance at our past and a peek into the future. I have a friend who claims ownership of “hindsight is 20-20.” (He didn’t coin the phrase.) But hindsight is a barometer for […]

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A Nudge in the HVACR Business

Posted October 15, 2018

What makes things change? More specifically, what is the final push, shove, jerk, bump, prod or jolt that must occur to see a customer decide to hire you for a changeout project? What about your employee who goes through the motions doing his job but never shows enthusiasm for learning new technologies or improving his […]

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TRC Saves Money on Mercury Clean Up

Posted October 8, 2018

Bangor, ME  Various sources, including Maine’s WABI TV 5 report that the cost to clean up the Penobscot River estuary could cost up to $333 million dollars.  The waterway was polluted by mercury from a now defunct plant.  The previous estimate was $130 million for mercury removal.  See the details here.  Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) […]

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We Get the Damnedest Things in Our Bins

Posted October 5, 2018

While I was attending a conference recently, a fellow attendee asked me an unusual question: Do you get any weird stuff in all those green bins that you have scattered throughout the country? My friend is familiar with the nonprofit I lead, Thermostat Recycling Corp., which recycles mercury-containing thermostats — a well-documented hazardous waste — which […]

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The Ten Bin Club-September

Posted September 25, 2018

The following TRC partners have done an amzaging job are now part of the Ten Bin Club!  Congratulations to the following organizations who have returned their tenth collection bin sincing becoming part of the TRC familly.  Keep up the great work and thanks for your leadership! BELL SIMONS COMPANY, Manchester, NHJOHNSON SUPPLY #12, Stafford, TXRISE […]

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LIHEAP Helps California

Posted August 30, 2018

California Labor HHS bill passed in the Senate, 85-7, with an additional $50 million for LIHEAP in FY19.  The Labor HHS bill was tethered to the Defense bill in order to ensure passage and lower the chance of a government shutdown.  The text of the bill as relates to LIHEAP is below:  LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCEAppropriations, […]

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A Day to Remember: Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day

Posted July 24, 2018

Chase’s Calendar of Events might be a mystery to most people, but I can offer assurances that you’ve heard the content of its “events” for years. It is a compendium of special events, worldwide holidays and festivals, famous birthdays and a great deal more. As one public expert put it, it’s all about the wacky […]

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California Imposes Massive Penalty

Posted June 26, 2018

A California law recently raised the maximum daily penalty for improper hazardous waste disposal from $25,000 to $70,000. The civil penalty, passed last fall, can be levied “for each separate violation or, for continuing violations, for each day that violation continues.” “This legislation establishes a huge increase from the previous penalty and raises the stakes […]

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Environmental Milestones

Posted June 25, 2018

The modern environmental movement is at least 46 years young.  But many identify the late 1800s and early 1900s as the true start of environmentalism.  Political progressives, transcendental writers like Emerson and Thoreau, political leaders like President Teddy Roosevelt and the leaders of the progressive movement all affirmed the importance of protecting natural resources.  As […]

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Busting Myths

Posted May 29, 2018

Busting Myths About Recycling Mercury Containing Thermostats In the business of recycling mercury containing thermostats, I find myself frequently playing the role of myth buster. This is no surprise to those in the business world. Outsiders have an opinion of a “truism” that applies to one’s industry, which when judged objectively simply isn’t so, or […]

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What Would Rachel Carson Think

Posted May 14, 2018

This year is the 56th anniversary of Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, which criticized the chemical industry for its indiscriminate use of pesticides. Many regard her book as the rocket that launched the environmental movement. I’ve been reading and reviewing the progress of what we do in the industry, and Carson and her book crossed my mind […]

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Promote Low-Income Thermostat Recycling with TRC

Posted April 20, 2018

Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) and our members share a commitment to improve energy-efficiency nationwide.  By working together with the nation’s utilities, federal and state energy efficiency and environmental programs and other organizations, we know that we can improve lives and help create a more sustainable planet.  We have learned over the years that energy-efficiency and mercury- reduction […]

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Statement on Proposed $50B In Chinese Tariffs

Posted April 20, 2018

Ft. Washington, PA. – Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC)’s Executive Director, Ryan Kiscaden, released the following statement regarding President Trump’s announcement on $50 billion worth of Chinese tariffs, which include Automatic Thermostats (90321000) at 25%:  “The administration’s action will hurt the speed at which mercury-containing thermostats become waste.  The recycling of mercury-containing thermostats is directly tied to […]

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Ancient Technology Helps Remove Mercury from the Environment

Posted April 14, 2018

Thermostat Recycling Corporation is at the forefront of preventing additional mercury from entering the waste stream and our environment.  But In Minnesota, Peat Moss Technologies has found a new way to use an ancient natural resource to purify the environment from heavy metals like mercury.   Check out this cool story!  Click here. 

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RISE Engineering Recognized as a Growing Mercury Thermostat Recycler in the United States

Posted April 9, 2018

Ft. Washington, Pa.  — Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) has recognized Rhode Island-based energy solutions provider RISE Engineering (RISE) as a fast-growing recycler of mercury thermostats in the United States in 2017.  RISE’s offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts work with TRC to collect thermostats that contain mercury — a proven health hazard — through a bin system […]

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Mercury Is Falling After 20 Years

Posted April 3, 2018

Mercury from products put into the waste stream is declining. Recently, this public health issue has been best highlighted with the revision of guidelines of certain fish consumption. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have loosened these guidelines with the implication being that the source of mercury contamination […]

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Saving the World One Thermostat at a Time – the hows and whys of thermostat recycling

Posted March 15, 2018

This article was originally published by the Association of Energy Services Professionals: https://www.aesp.org/news/391098/Saving-the-World-One-Thermostat-at-a-Time.htm A brief background Honeywell, White-Rogers and General Electric started Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) as a nonprofit in 1998 on a voluntary basis, to safely remove mercury-containing thermostats and keep them out of the waste stream. Because mercury is an element, you cannot […]

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Chittenden County, VT., Leads Nation’s Household Hazardous Waste Sector In Recycling Mercury Thermo

Posted August 23, 2017

Chittenden County, VT leads the United States in its recycling program for mercury-containing thermostats, according to a recent report from the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) that measured county recycling efforts. The Green Mountain State’s Chittenden County collected 2,280 mercury-filled thermostats between 2012 and 2016. Minnesota captured second and third place, with Hennepin County finishing a […]

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TRC Names Naperville Fire Department Collection Partner of the Month for August 2017

Posted August 2, 2017

According to Captain Rick Zakaras, Naperville Fire Department, TRC’s mercury thermostat recycling program “has provided a simple, safe and convenient method to dispose of thermostats” for Naperville residents. And the results show it. Since 2012, the department, which serves as one of only four permanent drop-off locations for household hazardous waste (HHW) in the state of […]

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TRC Changes Eligibility for 2017 BMOP Competition and Announces Two New Contest Categories

Posted July 11, 2017

Fort Washington, PA – July 6, 2017 –Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) is switching things up with its 2017 Big Man On Planet (BMOP) competition. “Now in our sixth year, we’re creating greater excitement by expanding the BMOP playing field,” said Ryan Kiscaden, TRC’s Executive Director. “For the first time ever, we’re automatically enrolling all TRC HVAC […]

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8 Technologies that are Making the World More Sustainable

Posted June 23, 2017

For Earth Day, Honeywell is taking a closer look at how energy efficiency inspires innovation.  Good business, economic growth, and responsibility can – and must – go hand in hand. With nearly 50 percent of our revenue linked to energy efficiency, Honeywell can help the world face its energy challenges. Our roots in energy efficiency began […]

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Seven Trade Associations Show Support for TRC by Signing a Coalition Letter Addressed to California

Posted June 12, 2017

On May 19th, the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) filed its Program Modification Plan for the Collection of Mercury-Containing Thermostats in California on behalf of 25, out of 31, thermostat manufacturers. As the public comment period of the program modification plan (PMP) wound down, TRC reached out to trade associations aligned with its industry, asking them to sign […]

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Thanks to Public & Private Partnerships ELVS Has Left the Building

Posted May 10, 2017

In its April 1, 2017 report on Mercury, U.S. Inventory Report: Supply, Use and Trade, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that since 1980, the use of mercury in products sold in the United States has decreased more than 97 percent. This is quite an achievement and it was not arrived at easily.  It took the hard work of […]

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Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) Announces Addition of First Non-Mercury Thermostat Manufacturers to Its Membership

Posted April 20, 2017

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., April 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — TRC has reached a new milestone and welcomes its first non-mercury thermostat manufacturers to its membership – ecobee and Nest Labs.  “TRC began decades ago as a volunteer effort initiated by manufacturers wanting to do the right thing and take back their own products in the safest, most proactive way possible,” said TRC’s […]

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TRC Opposes Connecticut’s HB 70657 To Keep Mercury Recycling as Effective as Possible

Posted March 9, 2017

On February 22, 2017, testimony authored by Thermostat Recycling Corporation’s (TRC) Executive Director, Ryan Kiscaden, was presented to the Connecticut Joint Legislative Committee, urging them to vote against HB 7067. The proposal, in its current form, would give the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) the authority to make “any object or substance” a covered product within the […]

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TRC Names Franklin Energy Services Illinois’ Collection Partner of the Month

Posted March 1, 2017

Fort Washington, PA. — March 1, 2017 — Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) is pleased to announce Franklin Energy Services as its March collection partner for the state of Illinois. With over two decades in the energy efficiency landscape, Franklin Energy is the industry expert in program administration and implementation for utility clients across the nation. […]

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Maine and Vermont Incentive Update and Instructions

Posted December 6, 2016

TRC has changed its $5 incentive program coupon system in Maine and Vermont to make it easier for customers. Check out our video for further instructions. INSTRUCTIONS: Our prior incentive program relied on you filling in a coupon for each mercury thermostat returned which is cumbersome. Starting in 2017, when you recycle mercury thermostats at your local […]

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Rhode Island Exceeds 2016 Mercury Recycling Goal

Posted December 5, 2016

ALEXANDRIA, Va., December 05, 2016 — The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) announced this week that the goal set by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) for the proper recycling of the equivalent of 3,250 mercury thermostats in 2016 was achieved in October, more than two months ahead of schedule. Rhode Island has one of […]

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TRC Elects New Board Member, Announces BMOP Competition Results

Posted December 4, 2016

Fort Washington, PA, December 1st 2016 – The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) has two big announcements that will be acknowledged at the upcoming HARDI annual conference held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs from December 3rd-6th. TRC is pleased to announce the appointment of its newest board member Rob Munin, President and CEO of Lux Products […]

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GoodCents: November Featured Collection Partner of the Month

Posted November 16, 2016

The Thermostat Recycling Corporation’s (TRC) collection location of the month for November is GoodCents, a partner that has recycled over 650 thermostats and 6.5 pounds of mercury in the last four years. GoodCents’ purpose is to help all people use the world’s precious resources more efficiently. They develop tailored energy efficiency, demand response and integrated demand-side […]

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RISE Engineering Recognized for Top Mercury Thermostat Recycling Efforts in Rhode Island

Posted October 14, 2016

CRANSTON, R.I., October 11, 2016 — Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) along with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the RI Office of Energy Resources (OER) have formally recognized energy solutions provider RISE Engineering as the top mercury thermostat recycler in Rhode Island in 2015. State officials presented a citation from the Office of the Governor to RISE Engineering this morning, […]

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October Featured Collection Partner of the Month: Johnstone Supply

Posted October 14, 2016

Our collection location of the month for October is Johnstone Supply, TRC’s top mercury thermostat recycling partner that has been working with TRC since as early as 2000. Since 2012, Johnstone Supply stores across the nation have collected over 114,000 mercury thermostats and recycled over 1,160 lbs of mercury, which is the most mercury any single company has diverted from the environment through TRC. Johnstone […]

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September Featured Collection Partner of the Month: Johnson Supply

Posted September 1, 2016

This month’s featured TRC collection partner is Johnson Supply, a loyal participant of the program since 2006. In the past four years alone they have collected more than 7,000 mercury thermostats, diverting more than 87lbs of mercury from solid waste. They were also one of the winners in last year’s Big Man on Planet competition for […]

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Mercury Thermostats: Turning Quicksilver Into Gold

Posted August 11, 2016

This blog was published in the August issue of US Boiler Report: original article here. One of the most commonly asked questions staff from the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) receive while conducting outreach is, “So what is it you guys do, exactly?” To put that question to rest, today I’ll lay it out plain and simple: […]

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August Featured Collection Partner of the Month: Covanta

Posted August 1, 2016

Covanta has partnered with several entities to help facilitate mercury thermostat recycling in various states and contribute to TRC’s overall collection numbers. In April 2015 Covanta Tulsa, Locke Supply and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) partnered to provide a convenient way to responsibly recycle mercury containing thermostats in Oklahoma. In October 2015 Covanta […]

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June Featured Collection Partner of the Month: Chittenden Solid Waste District

Posted June 7, 2016

une’s featured TRC collection partner is Chittenden Solid Waste District, a loyal participant of the program since 2007. In the past four years alone their one location has collected more than 2,176 mercury thermostats, diverting more than 16lbs of mercury from solid waste. Each year they continue to be one of the leading household hazardous waste […]

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May Featured Collection Partner of the Month: Franklin Energy Services

Posted May 2, 2016

Franklin Energy has been participating in TRC’s program since 2009. In the past four years alone they have collected 17,492 mercury thermostats, diverting more than 124lbs of mercury from solid waste! They are one of the leading utility companies in terms of TRC’s collections in the Midwest. With over two decades in the industry, Franklin Energy designs and […]

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April Featured Collection Partner of the Month: US Air Conditioning Distributors

Posted April 5, 2016

This month’s featured TRC collection partner is US Air Conditioning Distributors (USACD), a loyal participant of the program since 2009. In the past four years alone they have collected more than 20,600 mercury thermostats, diverting more than 244lbs of mercury from solid waste. They were also one of the winners in last year’s Big Man on Planet competition for […]

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April Featured Collection Partner of the Month: US Air Conditioning Distributors

Posted April 5, 2016

This month’s featured TRC collection partner is US Air Conditioning Distributors (USACD), a loyal participant of the program since 2009. In the past four years alone they have collected more than 20,600 mercury thermostats, diverting more than 244lbs of mercury from solid waste. They were also one of the winners in last year’s Big Man on Planet competition for […]

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TRC Names New Executive Director

Posted March 2, 2016

Thermostat Recycling Corporation’s (TRC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of current TRC Director of National Accounts, Ryan Kiscaden, as Executive Director effective immediately. The Board’s announcement is supported by the TRC membership with a continued expectation of extended producer responsibility stewardship and complete confidence in Ryan’s abilities to lead the organization’s […]

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TRC is seeking a Project Manager – Compliance Program

Posted February 11, 2016

Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), a national program headquartered in Alexandria, VA, is seeking candidates for the position of Project Manager – Compliance Program. The project manager will be responsible for managing the TRC’s California compliance project. The ideal candidate will be organized, experienced, have strong project management skills and advanced critical thinking. Salary is commensurate with […]

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A Brief History of Thermostats: The Inventors

Posted January 29, 2016

Thermostats are the ubiquitous overlord of humanity’s day-to-day comfort. Think about it – there is hardly an American citizen who does not own and operate a thermostat in their own home. And yet, few people think about this little piece of technology past the annoyance of the Office Manager stubbornly locking the A/C at a […]

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Are You Smarter Than A Smart Thermostat?

Posted November 12, 2015

While the Thermostat Recycling Corporation is busy getting mercury thermostats properly recycled, homeowners are having a ball choosing the mercury thermostat’s successor. That’s right, thermostats are fun now. The latest trend in energy efficient home heating and cooling? Smart thermostats. What exactly is a smart thermostat? These nifty new gadgets are a step up from the programmable thermostat, […]

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A Simple Question to Help Keep Mercury out of Vermont’s Environment

Posted October 23, 2015

Are you aware that many thermostats manufactured prior to 2006 contain mercury? Or that a mercury thermostat contains at least 1,000 times more mercury than today’s standard compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL)?  Did you know that mercury thermostats are likely the largest remaining reservoir of mercury in homes today, and thousands end up in the trash each […]

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A Simple Question to Help Keep Mercury out of Our Environment

Posted May 28, 2015

Are you aware that many thermostats manufactured prior to 2006 contain mercury? Are you aware that a mercury thermostat contains at least 1,000 times more mercury than today’s standard compact fluorescent light bulb?  Are you aware that mercury thermostats likely carry the majority of mercury found in homes today and yet thousands still end up in the […]

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Which HARDI members will recycle the most mercury thermostats?

Posted May 12, 2015

It’s that time of year again…the launch of our 4th annual Big Man on Planet competition! Three years ago, in partnership with HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International), we launched “Big Man on Planet” in an effort to provide a fun competition among HARDI member distributors to see who could recycle the most mercury […]

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A Productive Year in the Books

Posted December 14, 2014

As hard as it may be to believe, 2014 is about to come to an end and many businesses are already focusing on their 2015 initiatives. December tends to spark a bit of reflection about the past year’s accomplishments as we formulate goals or New Year resolutions for the next year, both in business and […]

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A Simple Question to Help Keep Mercury out of the Environment

Posted October 21, 2014

Are you aware that many thermostats manufactured prior to 2006 contain mercury? Are you aware that a mercury thermostat contains at least 1,000 times more mercury than today’s standard compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL)?  Are you aware that mercury thermostats are likely the largest remaining reservoir of mercury in homes today, and thousands end up in the […]

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