Contact: Nathan Serrato, Communications and Marketing Manager,
nathan.serrato@productstewardship.us (617.236.4866)
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Anyone in Los Angeles County can now earn a $100 Visa e-gift card for each old mercury thermostat they safely dispose of at an approved drop-off location. The offer is run by the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) in partnership with Thermostat Recycling Corp. and Thermostat Care, and is open to homeowners, property managers, and licensed contractors while funds last.
Many older thermostats, especially non-programmable models with a dial or lever, contain a small glass bulb of liquid mercury. When these mercury thermostats are thrown in the trash or broken, mercury, a potent neurotoxin, can escape and contaminate air, waterways, and land—where it poses the greatest risk to unborn babies and young children, whose brains are still developing. This limited-time additional incentive program, made possible with funding from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) through an enforcement penalty, is designed to keep that mercury out of local communities and help offset the cost of upgrading to newer, mercury-free models.
“Even though mercury thermostats are no longer sold in stores, many people still have them in their homes,” says Jennifer Schultz, Senior Associate for Policy and Programs at PSI. “This program rewards people for safely disposing of their old thermostats and keeping mercury out of their communities.”
To receive a $100 e-gift card, carefully remove the old mercury thermostat while wearing gloves and keeping the glass mercury switch intact. Photograph it so the brand name is visible, seal it in a plastic bag, and drop it off at an approved location listed at thermostatcare.org/locations. Lastly, submit the online form at bit.ly/4dTgcyV with the photos by January 31, 2027. Each individual or business may receive a $100 e-gift card for every mercury thermostat returned up to a maximum of 10. E-gift cards will be sent within 60 days of submitting the form while funds last.
An intact thermostat presents a low risk of mercury exposure when handled carefully and the glass mercury bulb remains sealed. If the bulb breaks, the liquid mercury can release harmful vapor that can be breathed in. Stop handling the thermostat, follow DTSC’s instructions for accidental breakage, and contact your local hazardous waste program for guidance. For professional removal of an intact thermostat, contact an HVAC contractor.
Eligible California residents, including property owners and managers, and service technicians may also qualify for a separate mail-in rebate of $30 per mercury thermostat through Thermostat Care, which has its own rebate form and information at ThermostatCare.org. Although licensed contractors are not eligible for that ongoing state rebate, they are still eligible for the limited-time $100 Visa e-gift card program.
Property owners and managers have an added reason to take part. Once removed, mercury thermostats are regulated waste, and owners can share liability if they are disposed of improperly. Using an approved drop-off location helps ensure they are handled correctly.
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Product Stewardship Institute (PSI)
PSI is a policy expert and consulting nonprofit that pioneered product stewardship in the United States. Since 2000, PSI has helped enact 150 extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws across 22 product categories in 34 states and the District of Columbia — the bedrock on which the circular economy is built. We work with businesses, nonprofits, academia, and governments to ensure that products are responsibly managed from design to end of life. Join us at www.productstewardship.us.