A new program makes recycling easy.
Why recycle thermostats?
It is illegal to put mercury-containing thermostats into the garbage. These must be recycled or handled as hazardous waste.
Where to recycle thermostats:
Contractors in King and Pierce Counties can recycle out-of-service mercury thermostats at participating wholesalers. When you replace a wall-mounted thermostat for service or upgrade, retain the thermostat. When you visit your wholesaler, put the thermostat in the green plastic bin.
For more information on thermostat recycling:
King County: Gail Savina 206-263-3062 gail.savina@metrokc.govPierce County: Linda Reiter 253-502-2159 lreiter@ci.tacoma.wa.us
Participating wholesalers: A list of participating wholesalers can be found at www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/yb/ . Look under “thermostats.”
Seattle
Gensco, 6th Ave So
Johnstone Supply, Andover Pk. W.
RSD, Industrial Way
Thermal Supply, Inc., So. Lander
Trane Parts Center, 4th Ave So.
United Refrigeration, So. Lander
Bellevue
Thermal Supply, Inc., Bel-Red Rd.
Thrifty Supply, NE 16th
Trane Parts Center, NE Northrup Way
United Refrigeration, 132 Ave NE
Bothell
Johnstone Supply, No Creek Pkway
Fife
Gensco-Albina, 20th St. E.
Hadco Supply, 20th St. E.
Thermal Supply, 20th St. E.
RSD Supply, Pacific Hwy.
Kirkland
Gensco, 120th Ave NE
Kent
Lennox Industrials, Inc., W. Valley HighwayTacoma
Johnstone Supply, Tacoma Ave S.
Thrifty Supply, S. Tacoma Way
How to recycle thermostats
Bring intact thermostats to your distributor and put them in the recycling bin. Don’t remove mercury switches from the thermostat body. Loose or broken/leaking mercury switches are not accepted in this program. If you have a broken or loose mercury switch, call EcoLights Northwest, Seattle at 206-343-1247 or Grainger, Seattle at 206-767-4500.
Who pays?
There is no cost to participate in this program. In most cases, the costs of recycling used thermostats is covered by the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), comprised of Honeywell, General Electric and White Rodgers. In a few cases, local distributors cover the cost of recycling thermostats.
The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County promotes this recycling program as part of a larger effort to reduce mercury pollution.
To dispose of other products that contain mercury:
Information about the disposal of other mercury-containing products is available at www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/yb/ or by calling 206-296-3976.
For a list of hazardous waste haulers, call 206-296-3976 or visit www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/yb/ .