Regulations

In King County it is illegal for residents and businesses to dispose of mercury-containing products, including thermostats, in the garbage or at transfer stations. These products must be recycled or handled as hazardous waste.

King County
The King County Solid Waste Division Waste Acceptance Policy prohibits the disposal of mercury products at King County Solid Waste facilities. This rule applies to households and businesses.

City of Seattle
The Seattle Municipal Code prohibits the disposal of mercury products in commercial and residential garbage containers in Seattle.

Washington State
Washington State law requires businesses in Washington to manage mercury thermostats according to either the Universal Waste Rule or the dangerous (or hazardous) waste regulations. Universal Waste requirements are less stringent than the dangerous waste regulations.

The Washington State Mercury Education and Reduction Act (MERA) provides that as of January 1, 2006, a mercury thermostat cannot be sold or installed in Washington unless the manufacturer of the thermostat participates in a thermostat recycling program for contractors.

Three thermostat manufacturers—Honeywell, White Rogers and General Electric—participate in a national thermostat collection and recycling program called the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC). The TRC program is active in King County and in other Washington counties.