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Thermostat Recycling in Nebraska

Thermostat Recycling in Nebraska. Derry Stover Office of Environmental Health Hazards & Indoor Air October 2011. Overview of Mercury. Why we use elemental mercury (Hg)? Unique properties: Liquid weight & density Low vapor pressure & known pressure sensitivity Electric conductivity.

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Thermostat Recycling in Nebraska

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  1. Thermostat Recycling in Nebraska Derry Stover Office of Environmental Health Hazards & Indoor Air October 2011

  2. Overview of Mercury • Why we use elemental mercury (Hg)? • Unique properties: • Liquid weight & density • Low vapor pressure & known pressure sensitivity • Electric conductivity

  3. Spills and Releases • Why do we want to recycle mercury? • Environmental Effects • Chemically reactive with environment; can form methylmercury and other mercuric compounds • Mercury is cycled between soil, atmosphere, and surface water • Contaminates water systems and harms wildlife (toxic to living organisms)

  4. Spills and Releases • Health Effects • Elemental mercury is potent neurotoxin • Enters the body • Skin, Ingestion, Inhalation* • High doses over short time • Kidney effects, respiratory failure, and death • Low doses over long-time • Muscles tremors, neurological damage, headaches, changes in mood Mercury vapors under blacklight after thermometer was spilled

  5. Mercury Thermostats • 2-3 million thermostats come out of service each year (EPA Mercury Study Report to Congress, 1997) • Most contain mercury • Average Hg thermostat = 4 grams • Where does this end up? • Mercury thermostats being phased out, state bans, state recycling requirements • No bans or thermostat –specific recycling requirements in Nebraska

  6. Thermostat Recycling Corporation • Program Overview • Take-back program founded in 1998 by Honeywell and other thermostat manufacturers • Collection containers intended for HVAC/P wholesalers • HVAC/P contractors, HHW facilities, and HVAC retailers also eligible to obtain TRC container • Initial fee is $25 to obtain container, no costs after

  7. Thermostat Recycling Corporation • How it Works • Or….. • Rural HVAC contractors & contracting businesses with ≥7 technicians can obtain own TRC container • Directly ship to TRC • General public • Can take thermostats to TRC locations

  8. Thermostat Recycling in Nebraska • Nebraska DHHS • EPA grant from 2009-10 • Paid $25 fee • TRC promotion/outreach • Doubled # of thermostats recycled during grant years compared to previous 2 years • Participants in Nebraska include: • 20 HVAC wholesalers • 40 HVAC contractors • 1 HHW facility • 15 HVAC contractors report taking thermostats to wholesalers

  9. How to Sign-up • For organizations/businesses to sign-up • Go to www.thermostat-recycle.org • Click on Sign-Up • Separate forms for • Wholesaler • HHW • Contractors • Retail

  10. How to Utilize TRC • Direct people with Hg thermostats to TRC locations • Contactors with thermostats • Homeowners can have thermostats (have them call business before dropping off) • For map of TRC locations • http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/mercury/disposal.htm • For list of TRC locations • http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/mercury/ThermostatRecyling.htm • Get own TRC container if you’re a HHW organization • And must follow TRC container rules & requirements

  11. How to Get Involved • Promotion/Outreach activities • Ask contractors how they dispose of their thermostats • Direct mailings • Promotional Tool-kit at www.thermostat-recycle.org • Posters, banners, postcards can be personalized • Offer grants/funding to cover the initial fee

  12. Questions? Feel free to contact me with questions Derry Stover Indoor Air Quality Program Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services 301 Centennial Mall South PO Box 95026 Lincoln, NE 68509

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