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Southeast HVAC News
TRC Announces Addition of
First Non-Mercury Thermostat Manufacturers to Its Membership -
ecobee and Nest Labs.
TRC has reached a new milestone and welcomes its first
non-mercury thermostat manufacturers to its membership – ecobee
and Nest Labs.
"TRC began decades ago as a volunteer effort initiated by
manufacturers wanting to do the right thing and take back their own
products in the safest, most proactive way possible," said TRC's
Executive Director, Ryan Kiscaden. "With ecobee and Nest Labs
joining our organization, they are setting a great example for other
companies to follow."
Production of mercury-containing thermostats ceased in 2007, and has
been replaced by programmable and smart thermostats. These
conditions coupled with TRC's aggressive collection and recycling
campaigns, have led to a decline of mercury thermostats in use and
circulation. This is reflected in TRC's annual collection data.
"We've always believed that manufactures of non-mercury containing
devices are key to helping us make greater gains in our collection
efforts," said Kiscaden. "With the newer devices replacing the older
stock, it's a natural relationship for them to promote our program
to those who come into contact with mercury thermostats during
installation."
ecobee and Nest mirror Kiscaden's views and feel the time is right
for more companies to step up and support TRC's cause.
"We're a company that upholds social and environmental values," said
Fatima Crerar, Senior Manager of Social Impact at ecobee. "We've
long considered what happens to the old thermostats we replace and
taking part in TRC's program helps us with that. We believe every
manufacturer has a natural role in managing the lifecycle of their
product and the waste and pollution created by the old products they
replace."
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"The pressing,
driving need to help the environment is one of the reasons why
Nest was created," said Mark Rose, Product Lead for the Nest
Thermostat at Nest. "We're happy to be one of the first
non-mercury thermostat manufacturers to join TRC's program and
continue our mission of creating a home that takes care of the
people inside it and around the world."
TRC has grown since its 1998 start. Today, it boasts 31
manufacturer members and ensures compliance for each. And with
more than 3,000 collection sites, operating in 48 contiguous
states, TRC has diverted more than 10 tons of mercury from the
ecosystem and waste stream.
For more information about TRC, or to find a mercury-containing
thermostat recycling location, visit thermostat-recycle.org.
About Thermostat Recycling Corporation
Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) was founded in 1998 as an
industry-funded nonprofit. Membership consist of 31
manufacturers who either branded and sold mercury thermostats in
the U.S. prior to their discontinuation in 2007, or produced
devices that may replace mercury-containing thermostats.
With a network of more than 3,000 collection sites nationwide,
TRC has recovered over 2.1 million thermostats, or 10 tons of
mercury, to date. All costs to transport and properly dispose of
recovered thermostats are assumed by TRC.
Visit
thermostat-recycle.org to learn more and find a recycling
location near you.
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