AB 424

Recycling thermostats containing mercury

This bill requires a manufacturer that sells or sold thermostats that contain

mercury (mercury-added thermostats) in this state to implement a recycling plan

approved by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for collecting and recycling

mercury-added thermostats. The plan must contain provisions for education and

outreach, for ensuring that collection and recycling are conducted in accordance with

DNR's rules, for the furnishing of containers to wholesalers and collectors, and for

financial incentives for the return of mercury-added thermostats. The bill also

imposes annual reporting requirements on manufacturers. If a manufacturer does

not comply with the requirements, the bill prohibits the manufacturer from selling

any kind of thermostat in this state and prohibits wholesalers and retailers from

selling any of the manufacturer's thermostats in this state.

The bill prohibits a wholesaler from selling or distributing any kind of

thermostat unless the wholesaler collects used mercury-added thermostats. The bill

prohibits a retailer from selling or distributing any kind of thermostat unless the

retailer participates in a program to educate consumers on the collection of

mercury-added thermostats. The bill requires a contractor that demolishes a

building to first remove any mercury-added thermostats. The bill also requires a

contractor who removes a mercury-added thermostat from a building to deliver the

old thermostat to a wholesaler or collector.

Disposal of mercury-added products

Current law prohibits various items, including lead acid batteries and major

appliances, from being disposed of in landfills and from being incinerated. This bill

prohibits products to which mercury is intentionally added from being knowingly

disposed of in landfills and from being knowingly incinerated.