Pennsylvania DEP Approves Plans to Collect and Recycle Mercury Thermostats

"Mercury is a toxic metal that can accumulate in living tissue and cause adverse health effects such as severe nerve and brain damage," said DEP Secretary John Hanger. "When a mercury thermostat is broken and placed in a landfill or burned in an incinerator, the mercury can contaminate the air, surface water and ground water. By taking these outdated devices out of circulation and disposing of them in a proper manner, we are eliminating unnecessary releases of mercury into our environment. This will make our air, land and water safer for us all."

Under the new law, manufacturers who have sold mercury thermostats in Pennsylvania must collect and recycle waste mercury thermostats at no cost to contractors and homeowners. Wholesalers located in Pennsylvania must serve as collection sites for the thermostats. The law also requires retailers and contractors to either participate as collection points or provide notice to customers that recycling of mercury thermostats is required by law and identify locations of nearby collection points.

The Pennsylvania DEP received two plans for manufacturers to establish collection and recycling programs in Pennsylvania. The plans were submitted by the Thermostat Recycling Corp., Arlington, Va., and EWC Controls, Englishtown, N.J.

TRC is a nonprofit organization that currently represents 29 manufacturers nationwide that have distributed over 65 brands of mercury thermostats. TRC sponsored collection sites will accept all brands of mercury thermostats.

EWC Controls sold thermostats nationwide under its brand name through wholesale operations from 1989 to 2007. This collection and recycling program is for EWC Controls brand name thermostats only. Both companies are voluntarily collecting thermostats in advance of the law’s effective date in December.