Sales Ban: The sale of mercury thermostats is prohibited.
Installation Ban: The installation of mercury thermostats is prohibited.
Disposal Ban: The disposal of mercury thermostats in solid waste is prohibited.
Mandatory Contractor Recycling: HVAC contractors and Demolition Contractors are required to recycle all mercury thermostats removed service. Contractors and retailers are required to either participate as collection points -OR- provide notice to customers that recycling of mercury thermostats is required under law, and identify locations of nearby collection points.
Collection Program Requirements
Mandatory Wholesale Distributor Collection: HVAC wholesale distributors are prohibited from selling any thermostat unless their location(s) are acting as a collection point for waste mercury thermostats.
Mandatory Manufacturer Funded Collection and Recycle: Manufacturers that historically branded and sold mercury thermostats in Pennsylvania are required to individually or collectively participate in a collection program.
Recycling Your Old Mercury-Containing Thermostats
In 2008, mercury thermostat collection legislation was passed in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to act as a collection point for waste mercury thermostats.
IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISPOSE MERCURY THERMOSTATS IN SOLID WASTE IN PENNSYLVANIA. HVAC CONTRACTORS AND RETAILERS ARE REQUIRED TO EITHER PARTICIPATE AS COLLECTION POINTS OR PROVIDE NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS THAT RECYCLING OF MERCURY THERMOSTATS IS REQUIRED UNDER LAW AND IDENTIFY LOCATIONS OF NEARBY COLLECTION POINTS. TRC IS THE EASIEST AND CHEAPEST WAY TO COMPLY WITH PENNSYLVANIA LAW.
How can you participate in the program?
Bring your mercury-containing thermostat to any TRC collection location for proper disposal. There are over 250 Collection Locations currently in Pennsylvania. HVAC contracting businesses with seven or more technicians or those serving rural communities may participate directly in the program by ordering a collection container.
Fines for Noncompliance
Each manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, or contractor found in violation of the provisions in this section is subject to $2,500 in fines, per day, per violation. State Information on Mercury Thermostats: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection