Study finds mercury thermostat recycling in most states to be ineffective

Manufacturer-run programs for recycling mercury thermostats may be failing to keep the neurotoxin out of landfills in most states, according to a report released April 2 by the Mercury Policy Project, an environmental interest group.

Of the 10 states with laws requiring mercury thermostat collection, only two – Maine and Vermont – had programs more effective than in states with no program at all, according to the report.

The successful recycling rates in Maine and Vermont are likely due to financial incentive programs offered by manufacturers to homeowners and businesses to encourage recycling of mercury thermostats, according to the report.

The U.S. EPA estimates that 2 to 3 million mercury thermostats come out of service each year nationally, amounting to 7 to 10 tons of mercury annually.

Manufacturer-run recycling programs in the U.S. have apparently only been able to divert 8% of mercury thermostats coming out of service from landfills in the past decade, the report said.

Connecticut is the latest state to enact a mandatory recycling program for mercury thermostats.

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