Since 1998, the Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) has worked to collect thermostats containing mercury and properly dispose of the harmful substance by using HVAC wholesalers as collection points for contractors. 

Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) named the Rockford, Illinois, branch of Johnstone Supply the top mercury thermostat recycler of 2014.

Covanta Tulsa, Locke Supply, and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) have partnered to provide a convenient way to recycle mercury-containing thermostats in Oklahoma. Residents and contractors will now be able to deliver old thermostats to any Locke Supply location for recycling free of charge.

With the success of the program, the two organizations have joined forces again to continue the free collection program in 2015.

A new law in Massachusetts requires any person or contractor who replaces a mercury-containing thermostat to deliver it to an appropriate collection site to be recycled. It also mandates that no HVAC wholesale distributor shall sell or distribute any thermostat unless the wholesaler participates as a collection site to recycle mercury thermostats.

Believe it or not, that quick-silver gooey stuff you used to play with in grade school can actually make you money.