Thermostats are commonly found in most homes and are also used for commercial applications as a means of regulating room temperature. Older mechanical thermostats often contained mercury. Common mercury thermostats house a glass ampoule under the cover that contains the mercury.

 

In 2008, mercury thermostat collection legislation was passed in California requiring thermostat manufacturers to establish collection programs for contractor and consumer-generated mercury thermostats. The legislation also requires all HVAC wholesale distributors with facilities in California to act as a collection point for waste mercury thermostats.

 

IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISPOSE OF A MERCURY THERMOSTATS IN SOLID WASTE IN CALIFORNIA. HVAC CONTRACTORS MUST RECYCLE ALL MERCURY THERMOSTATS THEY REMOVE FROM SERVICE. IT IS ILLEGAL TO LEAVE THEM AT THE CUSTOMER’S PREMISE.

 

TRC IS THE EASIEST AND CHEAPEST WAY TO COMPLY WITH CALIFORNIA LAW.

 

TRC provides collection containers to HVAC wholesale distributors, thermostat retailers, and HVAC contractors for a nominal one-time charge. TRC will also provide collection containers at no-cost to any California local government for use at household hazardous waste collection facility or household hazardous waste event. Local Governments can order collection containers at no-cost by mailing the CA HHW Participation Form to TRC. TRC assumes all costs to ship and properly dispose of mercury containing thermostats.

 

Bring your mercury-containing thermostat to any TRC collection location for proper disposal. There are over 350 Collection Locations currently in California. HVAC contracting businesses with seven or more technicians or those serving rural communities may participate directly in the program by ordering a collection container.