ROSSLYN, VA — The Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) said it has recovered more than 900 lb of mercury from 99,000 used mercury-switch thermostats since it began operation in January 1998.

TRC said it collected 24,362 thermostats and processed 255 lb of mercury from wholesalers in the first half of 2001. This represents nearly a doubling of thermostats and more than a doubling of mercury collected during the same period last year.

TRC is a private corporation established by Honeywell, General Electric, and White Rodgers. Under the program, contractors can drop off used mercury-switch thermostats, no matter what brand, at participating wholesalers.