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The Thermostat Recycling Corporation: Experiences and Lessons

The Thermostat Recycling Corporation: Experiences and Lessons. Section 7: Collection Programs Ric Erdheim TRC Executive Director May 2, 2002. WHY?. Concern about spent product disposal 2.8 grams/switch, 1.4 switches/thermostat Cannot reduce mercury in mercury switch thermostats

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The Thermostat Recycling Corporation: Experiences and Lessons

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  1. TheThermostat RecyclingCorporation:Experiences and Lessons Section 7: Collection Programs Ric Erdheim TRC Executive Director May 2, 2002

  2. WHY? • Concern about spent product disposal • 2.8 grams/switch, 1.4 switches/thermostat • Cannot reduce mercury in mercury switch thermostats • Non mercury thermostats can have disadvantages (energy efficiency, retrofitability, cost, durability, inappropriate for visually impaired and handicapped.)

  3. HOW? • Established cost-efficient program utilizing universal waste rule. • Three major manufacturers; • Honeywell, • White-Rodgers, • GE • Companies pay transportation and mercury recovery costs • TRC losses money – mercury has no value

  4. HOW? • TRC signs up HVAC (not electrical) wholesalers • Most thermostats sold through HVAC wholesalers, not retailers • One-time $15 fee per container • Receive TRC container (1X1X2 feet) • Brings in business.

  5. HOW? • List at www.NEMA.ORG/TRC • Contractors (install vast majority) bring MS stats to wholesaler • Free to contractors • When filled (50-100 stats) wholesaler ships container at TRC expense to clipping facility • Clipped ampuoles sent to Bethlehem Apparatus for mercury recovery

  6. HOW? • Letters to wholesalers and contractors • Press releases twice/year in trade press • Contact with NHRAW and ACCA HQ and local chapters • Contractor requests to wholesalers

  7. HOW? • State and local government efforts – recovery greatest in states with aggressive efforts (Education, RCRA Enforcement, HHW Outreach, Container Placement, Pledge Program) • Information to states twice/year • Great Lakes BNTS conference calls • Incinerator companies • Conference of Mayors

  8. PROGRAM HISTORY • 1993 NEMA submission to include thermostats in UW • 1996-1997 address liability • Initiated in 1998 in nine states (Great Lakes and Florida) • Eighteen month delay in eastern expansion until January 2000 due to lack of UW

  9. NATIONAL COLLECTIONS • Spring 2001 expansion to remaining lower 48 states. • 1/98-12/31/01 results (processed by TRC): • > 120,000 thermostats • > 1,000 pounds of mercury • 1215 Containers (some stores have more than one).

  10. NATIONAL COLLECTIONS

  11. COLLECTIONS: ORIGINAL STATES • Midwest states and Florida 1998-2001 • Collections have doubled • Still growing • Big increase 2000 to 2001 • Suggests program has increasing potential

  12. ORIGINAL STATES COLLECTIONS

  13. PROGRAM LESSONS • Products vastly different: • units sold • size • fragility • level of hazardous substance, • users (homeowners, businesses, specialized installers) • availability and attributes of alternatives and other factors

  14. PROGRAM LESSONS • TRC program works because; • stats contain grams/mercury (500-1000 times > CFLs or button batteries • number sold (not specialty product) • economies from using existing limited distribution system • contractors install • small, sturdy & wholesalers properly handle

  15. PROGRAM LESSONS • Market mechanisms • Industry “rewards” and/or incentives

  16. PROGRAM DIRECTION • Increase collections of MS stats • Expand interactions with contractors • Columbia, South Carolina • Increase participating wholesalers • Expand coordination with state/local officials • Others?

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