ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) announced the fifth annual Big Man On Planet (BMOP) competition starts May 1, in partnership with Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI). BMOP will run through Oct. 31 and all HARDI wholesaler members are eligible to participate.
BMOP encourages HARDI members to promote TRC’s mercury thermostat collection program at their branches. To accommodate distributors of all sizes, three winning wholesalers will be determined as follows: the one that recycles the most pounds of mercury overall, the one that recycles the highest average pounds of mercury, and the one with the highest branch participation rate (for distributors with more than 10 locations).
Additionally, a $500 store incentive will be awarded to the top three branch locations who recycle the most. Winners will be recognized at HARDI’s annual conference, December 3-6 in Colorado Springs, Colorado
“Last year’s participation in the competition increased by 71 percent and diverted 432 pounds of mercury from solid waste. The HVAC wholesale channel continues to be our strongest ally and promotions such as BMOP continue to affect the collections for our program,” said Ryan Kiscaden, executive director of TRC.
“TRC provides this turnkey program for HARDI wholesalers to do their part in preventing harmful mercury from leeching into our ecosystems,” said Talbot Gee, CEO, HARDI. “Considering how easy it is to participate, there’s really no reason why any HARDI distributors shouldn’t be taking advantage of some friendly competition, opportunities for prizes and making the environment cleaner and safer.”
Past winners include Auer Steel, Johnson Supply, US Air Conditioning Distributors, and Johnstone Supply in 2015; Corken Steel Products, Crescent Parts & Equipment, and Johnstone Supply in 2014; and Johnstone Supply in 2013 and 2012.
HARDI distributors may sign up to compete in BMOP at www.thermostat-recycle.org/BMOP. For distributors not currently participating in TRC’s collection program, more information is available at www.thermostat-recycle.org, or by calling 888-266-0550.
