TRC Backgrounder

About TRC

The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) is a not-for-profit organization that facilitates the collection and proper disposal of mercury-containing thermostats. Voluntarily founded by Honeywell, White-Rodgers, and General Electric in 1998, TRC’s mission is to promote the safe collection and proper disposal of mercury-containing thermostats.  TRC is one of first producer responsibility organizations in the United States and reflects its members’ commitment to keep mercury-containing thermostats from solid waste. 

TRC has distributed over 3,400 collection containers nationwide to participating collection locations.  Heating and air conditioning (HVAC) wholesalers and contractors are eligible to participate in the program and in 2006 TRC expanded it operations to include household hazardous waste collection programs and retailers.  TRC is financially supported by 28 manufacturers that historically distributed mercury-containing thermostats in the U.S.  Outside of a modest one-time participation fee, TRC assumes all costs for the transport and processing of thermostats recovered through the program. 

Educational Campaign 

TRC conducts a national effort to generate awareness on the need to properly dispose mercury-containing thermostats and to actively solicit program participation.  Through national and regional advertising, industry events, workshops, and other outreach activities TRC actively promotes the need for proper disposal of mercury-containing thermostats.

Collection Program

TRC provides collection containers to HVAC wholesalers, HVAC contractors, household hazardous waste collection programs, and retailers who sell thermostats.  TRC charges a modest one-time fee to participate in the program.  TRC provides all collection containers and collateral materials and pays all shipping and recycling costs. The program provides an array of convenient options for contractors and homeowners to properly dispose of mercury-containing thermostats.   TRC has placed containers in 47 states and has collected over 800,000 mercury-containing thermostats since the program’s inception.

Program Funding

The program is funded by thermostats manufacturers that historically distributed mercury-containing thermostats in the U.S.  Twenty-five manufacturers now support the program.  Members’ fees are proportional, based on the prior years collections of their brand name thermostats. The continued financial support of TRC by its members demonstrates their commitment to the environment.