July 2nd, 2009

From Green Right Now Reports

A new California law goes into an effect this week that will make it easier to recycle dangerous mercury thermostats. The Mercury Thermostat Collection Act of 2008 increases the number of thermostat collection locations and requires heating and air conditioning wholesalers with physical locations in California to collect thermostats from the public and contractors. Retailers are also encouraged to participate.

Co-sponsored by the California Product Stewardship Council and Sierra Club California, AB 2347 is California’s first full producer responsibility legislation and makes California only the third state to pass such a law in an effort to protect public health.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. On average, mercury thermostats contain about three grams of mercury. Each year in the U.S., as many as 630,000 infants are born with mercury levels associated with IQ loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

“We want contractors and the public to know that this new law is in effect to protect the public from mercury exposure,” Heidi Sanborn, CPSC Executive Director, said in a statement. “Having the producers fund and manage the collection system reduces public costs to manage the product at the end-of-life and is in line with the overall framework for an Extended Producer Responsibly (EPR) system adopted by the California Integrated Waste Management Board in 2008.”

Sanborn praised the efforts of Honeywell International Inc., as part of the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), and the California Retailers Association for supporting the recycling legislation.

Related links:

• Get information about free thermostat recycling in California