The great mercury-based thermostat round-up
7th June 2019
USA: Air conditioning and refrigeration wholesalers are being encouraged to collect and return mercury-containing thermostats in the USA’s annual Banish Mercury Off the Planet (BMOP) competition.
The contest, organised by the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), an industry-funded nonprofit organisation, recognises members of Heating Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) that collect the most mercury-containing thermostats.
HARDI is the largest and most successful trade association representing HVACR distributors in the United States.
“We anticipate another successful year as HARDI wholesalers throughout the country demonstrate their commitment to a safer and cleaner environment by serving as the collection centre for contractors to drop off mercury-containing thermostats,” said Danielle Myers, operations and compliance manager.
The contest officially began May 1 and concludes October 31.
TRC places collection bins in HARDI wholesale member branches throughout the United States.
The Banish Mercury off the Planet contest (originally called the Big Man on Planet) is now in its eighth year. It names winners in three categories: the distributor that recycles the most pounds of mercury overall; distributor that recycles the highest average pounds of mercury per branch; distributor with the highest participation rate.
Founded in 1998, Thermostat Recycling Corporation is supported by 31 manufacturers that historically branded and sold mercury thermostats in the United States. The company maintains a network of more than 3,600 collection sites nationwide and has recovered more than 2.5 million thermostats, containing 11 tons of mercury, since its inception.
