[GreenYes Archives] -
[Thread Index] -
[Date Index]
[Date Prev] - [Date Next] - [Thread Prev] - [Thread Next]
Governor Schwarzenegger has signed into law AB 1369 to prohibit the sale and distribution of mercury thermostats beginning January 1, 2006 with exceptions for those used (1) for manufacturing or industrial purposes and (2) for blind or visually impaired people. Previous California law bans the landfilling of mercury thermostats as of the same date. A web page with the bill and bill history is at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_1369&sess=CUR&hou se=B&author=pavley. A recent study estimated that in 2000, 4 million plus mercury thermostats were sold in the US, containing approximately 15 metric tons of mercury. In that same year, an estimated 9.1 million mercury thermostats were removed from buildings, containing over 33 metric tons of mercury. In comparision, the electric utilities emitted an estimated 48 metric tons of mercury to the air from the combustion of coal. A list of wholesalers that accept mercury thermostats at no cost for recycling under the industry paid-for Thermostat Recycling Corporation program is on the Internet at http://www.nema.org/DocUploads/F7219D9C-9C2E-435B-8156497BBA0A99FE//trc_whol esalerlist.xls. John Reindl, Recycling Manager Dane County, Wisconsin |
[GreenYes Archives] -
[Date Index] -
[Thread Index]
[Date Prev] - [Date Next] - [Thread Prev] - [Thread Next]