Thermostat Take-Back

Many older household thermostats contain mercury-a toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health problems when it enters the environment. Will County partnered with the Illinois EPA to protect public health by increasing homeowner awareness of the need and opportunity to recycle mercury thermostats. 

This program builds on the 2010 Illinois thermostat recycling law, an extended producer responsibility (EPR) law that requires thermostat manufacturers to set up collection and recycling programs for mercury thermostats. The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) was created by the industry to collect and recycle mercury thermostats, reducing waste and saving taxpayers and local governments money through decreased waste management costs. Under the program, heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) contractors and service technicians to recycle mercury thermostats, and HVAC wholesalers to serve as collection sites. Many homeowners, however, are unaware that collection sites exist, where they are located, or how they can recycle their thermostats, and many may not realize the dangers mercury can pose. To promote this special program for homeowners, Illinois EPA and Will County are offering free collection at our Land Use Department.