This Common Home Device Could Cause Massive Contamination If You Toss It In The Trash

Most of the time, we don't think twice about what goes into our trash cans. While we tend to be cautious about the common items we shouldn't be putting in our recycling bins, trash cans are often treated as a free-for-all. Ideally, you should already know that decluttering used batteries shouldn't involve tossing them in the garbage and that medical waste like prescription meds and needles need special treatment. However, what you might not know is that the same applies to old thermostats. If your model was installed before 2006, it likely needs to be dropped off at a hazardous waste facility.

If this information has made you cautiously glare at the thermostat on your wall, don't worry — the device itself is safe to handle. The problem is that the mechanism inside could contain mercury. If it's tossed in the garbage and eventually crushed during handling, even the small amount of mercury inside (about 3 grams) is more than enough to contaminate an entire lake. While thermostats with this system were banned in 2006, thermostats with mercury can still be found in homes that haven't been updated in a while. If you're looking to renovate, do your due diligence and treat the old thermostat with caution. Luckily, there are plenty of resources you can turn to for safe disposal, and in most cases, they're free and easy to access, even if you live somewhere more rural.

Before you go out of your way to dispose of your thermostat, you should determine whether or not it contains mercury. If it was produced anytime in the last 20 years, you shouldn't have to worry about this at all, but if it's older, a little investigation is all you need. This is fairly simple to do on your own — remove the cover and look for a small glass tube that contains the shiny, metallic liquid. It's safe to handle if this tube is unbroken, but to keep things intact, you should place the cover back on the thermostat before you start researching local recycling programs.

For a quick way to find recyclers in your area, head to the Thermostat Recycling Corporation website and put in your zip code. You'll be greeted by a list of local businesses that are participants, most often appliance and refrigeration wholesalers. It's always a good idea to call the business before heading over to confirm it's still participating in the program, as well as its hours and location. The companies on this list should be willing to take your old thermostats and safely dispose of them for free.

There's also the option to look into municipal programs. Many counties already have thermostat recycling programs in place through their waste departments, but this will depend on your location. Generally, most municipal hazardous waste programs will provide locals with safe ways to dispose of common household items that are actually hazardous waste, so this could be worth looking into if you have more items that you're unsure how to safely dispose of.