Household Hazardous Waste
This item should never be put in a curbside bin. For more information visit our household hazardous waste page.
Mercury Thermostats
A control device typically used in a heating and/or cooling system to maintain a set temperature. Older models contain liquid mercury and are considered hazardous waste. Newer models are electronic and considered electronic waste when non-working.
In the old style of thermostats with a lever or switch - not the newer electronic kind - there is mercury inside the sealed glass tilt switch.
Properly recycling mercury thermostats is the law. Use the Thermostat Recycling Location Finder to find free drop-off sites near you. Residents, contractors, and businesses all qualify for rebates of up to $30 per mercury thermostat.
Vendors
| Vendor | Address | City | Destination | Disposal Method | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThermostatCare Recycling Location Finder | Recycle | Free Drop-off, Buyback Drop-off | The Thermostat Care safe thermostat recycling program of California helps individuals and businesses properly dispose of old mercury thermostats that pose a health hazard to communities and the environment. $30 per unit rebate. See website for info and drop-off locations. | |||
| Clean Earth (AERC) (Hayward) | 30677 Huntwood Ave | Hayward | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee | ||
| Veolia Environmental Services | 1125 Hensley St | Richmond | Recycle | Mail-in for a Fee | ||
| Delta HHW Collection Facility | 2550 Pittsburg-Antioch Hwy | Antioch | Recycle | Free Drop-off, Drop-off for a Fee | ||
| Freon Free | 1881 Walters Ct Suite A | Fairfield | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee, Pick-up for a Fee | ||
| Safety Kleen (San Jose) | 1147 N 10th Street | San Jose | Recycle | Pick-up for a Fee | ||
| City of Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Station Program | 2501 Embarcadero Way | Palo Alto | Recycle | Free Drop-off | Only 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste per visit. Must be a Palo Alto resident, proof of residency is required. | |
| SMaRT Station | 301 Carl Rd | Sunnyvale | Recycle | Free Drop-off | This item is hazardous and must be disposed of properly. Thermostat collection area. | |
| Recology SF Household Hazardous Waste Home Collection | San Francisco | Recycle | Free Pick-up | San Francisco Residents only. | ||
| Recology SF Household Hazardous Waste Facility | 501 Tunnel Ave. | San Francisco | Recycle | Free Drop-off | Limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds per day of all household hazardous waste. San Francisco residents only. Address verification required. Open Thursday-Saturday only from 8am-4pm. | |
| Recology SF Business Haz. Waste Drop-Off (VSQG Program) | 501 Tunnel Ave. | San Francisco | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee | Quantity limits and disposal fees apply. You must qualify and make an appointment in advance. San Francisco businesses only. | |
| FixIt Clinic (In-person & Virtual) | Repair | Free Mail-in | Self-repair through the Global Fixers Server on Discord or through Zoom FixIt Clinics. | |||
| RSD | 436 Hester St | San Leandro | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| Goodman Distribution, Inc |
3018 Alvarado St Suite C |
San Leandro | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Hayward Facility) | 2091 West Winton Avenue | Hayward | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| BulbCycle |
7700 Regents Road #113 Suite 547 |
San Diego | Safe Disposal | Mail-in for a Fee | ||
| Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Fremont Facility) |
41149 Boyce Rd. (At the Fremont Transfer Station - follow the trucks) |
Fremont | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| West County HHW Collection Facility | 101 Pittsburg Ave. | Richmond | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off, Drop-off for a Fee | ||
| Truitt & White Lumber Lumber and Hardware | 642 Hearst Ave | Berkeley | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location | |
| Castro Valley Sanitary District Office | 21040 Marshall St | Castro Valley | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. |
