Thermostat Recycling Corp. welcomes new companies
Thermostat Recycling Corp. has added two of 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 Ryan Kiscaden, TRC’s executive director. “With Ecobee and Nest Labs joining our organization, they are setting a great example for other companies to follow.”
In conjunction with TRC’s collection and recycling campaigns, company officials said there has been a decline of mercury thermostats in use and circulation.
“We’ve always believed that manufacturers of non-mercury-containing devices are key to helping us make greater gains in our collection efforts,” Kiscaden said. “With the new 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.”
Fatima Crerar, senior manager of social impact at Ecobee, said the company has long considered what happens to the old thermostats they replace.
“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,” Crerar said.
Mark Rose, product lead for thermostats at Nest, said the urgent need to help the environment was one of the reasons why the Nest thermostat was created.
“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,” he said.
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