Pennsylvania Bans Mercury Thermostats

By: Richard Hergenroeder, P.E, Covanta Energy Corporation Director of Environmental Science and Community Affairs in its Mid-Atlantic Region

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Mercury-Free Thermostat Act bans the sale, installation and disposal of mercury thermostats effective December 8, 2009. A goal of the Act is to give wholesalers, contractors, retailers, service technicians and homeowners a convenient opportunity to recycle out-of-service mercury thermostats. The ban only applies to old thermostats removed from service and intended for disposal. The ban does not affect mercury thermostats currently in use and these do not need to be pulled from service.

Photo from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection website (http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/landrecwaste/cwp/view.asp?A=1242&Q=544862)

The Commonwealth has accepted plans to collect and recycle thermostats from two organizations: Thermostat Recycling Corporation and EWC Controls.

 Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC)

According to the Thermostat Recycling Corporation’s Mercury-Switch Thermostat Collection and Recycling Plan (pdf), the company has voluntarily collected and recycled mercury-switch thermostats since their program’s inauguration in nine states in 1997. TRC was founded by Honeywell, White-Rodgers, and General Electric and represents 25 manufacturers that distributed over 60 brands of mercury switch thermostats. Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection sites, retailers and wholesalers of heating, air conditioning (HVAC), electrical systems, or plumbing products and accessories are eligible to participate in the TRC program as collection locations. Pennsylvania contractors that service/maintain heating, air conditioning, electrical or plumbing are also eligible to participate as collection locations. 

 TRC provides recycling containers to participating facilities for a modest, one-time participation fee. Each container is shipped with program guidelines, a plastic liner, twist ties for sealing the liner, zip ties for sealing the container, and a pre-paid universal waste shipping label for return shipment. Upon receipt of a container, the empty container is returned with guidelines, a new liner, zip and twist ties, and a pre-paid universal waste shipping label. Participation forms are available on TRC’s website www.thermostat-recycle.org and are also available upon request by calling the TRC toll fee line at 1-800-238-8192.

 EWC Controls

EWC Controls manufactures forced air zone controls. Some of EWC Controls’ products contain thermostats produced by other manufacturers with the EWC Controls brand name on the product. EWC Controls customers who are not participating in the TRC program can recycle mercury thermostats through the EWC Controls’ program and should access their website at www.ewccontrols.com for details.

 Covanta Energy Corporation

Covanta operates energy-from-waste facilities in Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery and York counties where it can process 7,908 tons of municipal waste daily. Mismanaged mercury can be toxic and can bioaccumulate in mammals and fish. As a component to the company’s Clean World Initiative, Covanta Energy has partnered with its clients to help remove mercury from the waste stream and the environment.

 Information and the photo used in this article can be found at the following websites:

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection –

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/landrecwaste/cwp/view.asp?A=1242&Q=544862

Thermostat Recycling Corporation – http://www.thermostat-recycle.org/

EWC Controls – http://www.ewccontrols.com/

CALLING ALL LANDSCAPER-LEAVES, GRASS CLIPPINGS AND YARD WASTE- are needed for a large compost project.  Please conact Mr. Paul Mooney @ 570-674-2727 for more information on where and when to drop off your material.

TELEPHONE BOOKS- Telephone books are being sought by a local dairy farmer for animal bedding. Please contact Mr. Jim Mayan at the Longview Dairy Farm @ 869-1259 for directions and hours.

BATTERIES- Call the RECYCLING HOTLINE-1-800-822-8837-to find out where to recycle household batteries, small drill batteries, flashlight batteries etc.  All you will need is your zip code and you will find out which stores near you accept these batteries and more!!

CAR/TRUCK/DOZER BATTERIES WANTED-Brenner Recycling, Hazleton, will pay anywhere between $2.00 to $15.00, depending upon quantity, for all three types.   They are also looking for CLEAN NEWSPAPER and CARDBOARD  only for recycling as well.  Prices vary depending upon quantity.  Please call Lenny Brenner at 570-454-8706 or cell # 570-578-2486, to talk with Lenny about further details.

PRINTER CARTRIDGE RECYCLING- Cartridge World Wilkes Barre, will accept ink cartridges and toner cartridges for recycling. Please contact Bob Bilbow at 822-4100 or cwilkesbarre@ezlinx.net for more information.

PAINT RECYCLING- Open conainers, fill with sand or cheap cat litter and let dry.  Once it has dried, put the can and the lid out with your regular garbage.  Please limit the amount to one or two cans per garbage pick-up.  Also check with your local municipality to see if there are any rules or regulations for the proper disposal of paint cans.

EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE WANTED- Construction or Industrial quantities of expanded styrofoam are now being accepted for recycling!  Please call Rick Bartolini at 654-7440 or by emailing him at prmfg@aol.com for more information.

REGENCY POLIMER SERVICES—Is looking for vinyl siding to recycle!!  Mr. Dee Kristoff at 410-273-9190, xt. 111, will gladly answer your questions on costs, quantity and transporation on VINYL SIDING RECYCLING!

CELL PHONE RECYCLING Jonnie Sullivan-Marketing Manager, Charitable Recycling, 794 Industrial Court, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-(248 538 7069) ISO14001 Registered-www.charitablerecycling.com