Thermostat recycling information

Several western Massachusetts heating and plumbing wholesalers now accept any wall-mounted mercury switch thermostat for recycling, as part of the Thermostat Recycling Corporation’s take back program. Since dial down thermostats contain 3 grams of mercury, improper disposal can cause environmental and public health problems. (1 gram of mercury can contaminate a 20-acre lake!)

As long as thermostats are in good working order, they do not pose a health or environmental threat. However, if a mercury-containing thermostat is discarded as trash, the mercury is eventually released into the air or water where it enters the food chain. When people, especially pregnant women and young children, eat mercury-contaminated fish, they can suffer from damage to the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver.

With the new take-back program, when an old thermostat requires replacing, it can be safely recycled instead of thrown away. The participation of local wholesalers makes it convenient for heating and cooling contractors or do-it-yourself homeowners to bring any brand of old mercury-switch thermostats to a participating wholesaler.

Drop-off locations in Western Mass

In Pittsfield

The Center for Ecological Technology
112 Elm Street
Pittsfield
jamiec@cetonline.org
413.445.4556
Open:
Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

S & A Supply
1311 East Street
Pittsfield
(413) 443-9681
Open:
Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

F. W. Webb
35 Commercial Street
Pittsfield
(413) 442-7913
Open:
Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In Great Barrington

Berkshire County Plumbing
305 Stockbridge Road
Great Barrington
(413) 528-0056
Open:
Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In Northampton

Northampton Plumbing
168 Industrial Drive
Northampton
(413) 584-4250
Open:
Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In Greenfield

Franklin County Plumbing
12 Kenwood Street
(413) 774-6002
Open:
Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Honeywell, General Electric and White-Rodgers are sponsors of the take-back program.

For more information, please go to the Thermostat Recycling Corporation.