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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda County Business Hazardous Waste Program (Oakland Facility) | 2100 East 7th Street | Oakland | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| Rubenstein Supply Company | 2800 San Pablo Avenue | Oakland | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| Cole Hardware (Rockridge) | 5533 College Ave | Oakland | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| Johnstone Supply (Oakland) | 1384 14th St | Oakland | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| Laurel Ace Hardware | 4024 MacArthur Ave. | Oakland | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| 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. | |
| Grand Lake Ace Hardware | 1221 Grand Ave. | Piedmont | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| Veolia Environmental Services | 1125 Hensley St | Richmond | Recycle | Mail-in for a Fee | ||
| West County HHW Collection Facility | 101 Pittsburg Ave. | Richmond | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off, Drop-off for a Fee | ||
| BulbCycle |
7700 Regents Road #113 Suite 547 |
San Diego | Safe Disposal | Mail-in for a Fee | ||
| 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. | |
| Safety Kleen (San Jose) | 1147 N 10th Street | San Jose | Recycle | Pick-up for a Fee | ||
| 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. | |
| Allied Refrigeration | 2175 Adams Avenue | San Leandro | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| United Refrigeration |
3018 Alvarado St Suite A |
San Leandro | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| US Air Conditioning Distributors | 1995 Fairway Drive | San Leandro | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| W. W. Grainger, Inc. | 444 Doolittle Dr | San Leandro | Safe Disposal | Buyback Drop-off | Thermostat Care Drop-off Location. Free drop-off, complete form, rebate mailed at future date. | |
| 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. |
