Guide for Reuse, Repair, Recycling, and Safe Disposal
for Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and the City of Palo Alto

What do I do with:

Near:

SEARCH

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.

Household Hazardous Waste

This item should never be put in a curbside bin. For more information visit our household hazardous waste page.

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
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.
West County HHW Collection Facility 101 Pittsburg Ave. Richmond Safe Disposal Free Drop-off, Drop-off for a Fee

Curbside Service

Questions? Comments?   We're here to help!      Get in touch!

Additional Tools

  • Item Search
  • Vendor Search
  • Information for Vendors

Grab the mobile apps for answers on the go:

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Brought to you by A public agency reducing waste in Alameda County since 1976.