Old mercury thermostats (taken off the wall during boiler or HVAC work)
New York City · checked on November 6, 2026
The rules for a business
The rules for a business:
- Throwing a mercury thermostat in the trash has been illegal in NYS since 2005.
- Contractors who replace mercury thermostats must take them to a collection program.
- Thermostat wholesalers must be collection sites. HVAC contractors can get a free collection container from the Thermostat Recycling Corporation or use a TRC drop-off.
Find a place:
Not settled by the official pages:
- The Thermostat Recycling Corporation's own site could not be read, so its terms are not quoted here: the state's and the Sanitation Department's pages are the sources.
The official words on it (4 quotes)
- “It is illegal to throw mercury thermostats in the trash, as New York State has had a disposal ban in place since 2005.” — Managing Mercury Thermostats — NYS DEC, no date on the page
- “Contractors who replace mercury thermostats or demolish buildings are required to bring mercury thermostats to collection programs.” — Managing Mercury Thermostats — NYS DEC, no date on the page
- “Contractors who don't have their own collection bin can use a Thermostat Recycling Corporation drop-off location .” — Mercury and Mercury-Containing Devices — DSNY, no date on the page
- “In NYS the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) implements the program on behalf of manufacturers.” — Managing Mercury Thermostats — NYS DEC, no date on the page
Places that take it from a business (1)
Call ahead before you go: what each place takes, from whom and when can change.
Across the city (1)
- HVAC/thermostat wholesalers (required collection sites) · from a business: Yes (“New York State law requires wholesalers of thermostats to serve as collection sites for mercury thermostats.”) · Wholesalers are required by state law to be collection sites; the program is meant for contractors. · fee: free (manufacturer-funded) · source: Mercury and Mercury-Containing Devices — DSNY · checked on: November 6, 2026 · Call ahead
Confirm with each place before you go: call ahead.
Sources
Every page quoted (2 pages)
- Managing Mercury Thermostats — NYS DEC — no date on the page; checked on November 6, 2026
- Mercury and Mercury-Containing Devices — DSNY — no date on the page; checked on November 6, 2026
This is a plain-words summary of official city and state pages as of November 6, 2026, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and have exceptions: confirm with the departments named on this card before you start or bill.