presentations may 23 – 25, 2005

Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine

For related information visit: http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/conferences

Thermostat Product Stewardship Initiative

Mercury Reduction Conference

Portland, Maine - May 23, 2005

Product Stewardship InstituteProduct Stewardship Institute

Founded in December 2000 at UMASS/Lowell Incorporated as national non-profit (501 c 3) in

Coalition/Affiliate Members 31 State agency members 27 Local agency members Pledge work w/PSI on product stewardship issues December 2004 (moved to Boston MA)

Board of Directors: 7 state/4 local

PSI Mission “…assists state and local government

agencies in establishing cooperative agreements with industry and developing other initiatives that reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products.”

PSI Projects• Mercury Switch Thermostats

• Electronics (Staples pilot, NEPSI)

• Paint (Benjamin Moore pilot)

• Pharmaceuticals

• Radioactive Devices

• Tires

• Pressurized Gas Cylinders

Thermostat Project Champions

OR DEQ King County, WA Seattle, WA EPA Region 5

PSI Dialogue Process Thermostat Stewardship Action Plan

Research Stakeholder Interviews

Dialogue (2 meetings) Survey: Issues (7) and Strategies (35) Work groups Agreements

Implement agreements/projects

Stakeholders Industry

Thermostat manufacturers Honeywell, General Electric, White-Rodgers,

Invensys Climate Controls Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) HVAC wholesalers HVAC contractors Demolition contractors Retailers (Home Depot)

Stakeholders Government

U.S. EPA Region 5 12 State 6 local governments NEWMOA

Other Energy utility Environmental group (OEC)

Thermostat Problem Statement A significant number of thermostats contain mercury,

which is a potent neurotoxin. Improper waste handling/disposal of mercury

thermostats can result in mercury releases. Small fraction of mercury thermostats being collected.

Estimated 11 million thermostats removed in 2003 in the US, according to Frost & Sullivan market report

65,000 mercury thermostats recovered through TRC

Mercury thermostats continue to be sold.

Point of Agreement

All stakeholders believe the collection and recycling of

mercury thermostats should be encouraged and increased.

Dialogue Focus Collection and recycling

HVAC Contractors/Wholesalers Homeowners/non-professionals Demolition contractors

New thermostat sales

Dialogue Goals

(1) Increase the collection of

mercury-containing thermostats

from HVAC contractors and electrical

wholesalers through the TRC program.

Dialogue Goals(2) Increase the collection of mercury-

containing thermostats from homeowners, demolition contractors, and other non-HVAC contractors through the TRC program and/or other mechanisms.

Dialogue Goals(3) Explore the benefits and costs of various

types of thermostats, and identify the opportunities and viability of replacing mercury thermostats with non-mercury alternatives.

Priority Issues

1. Increase HVAC contractor awareness2. Increase options for HVAC contractor collection3. Increase HVAC contractor motivation to

participate4. Measure success of collection program5. Provide for homeowner/non-HVAC contractor

collection6. Provide for demolition contractor collection7. Reduce or eliminate the sale of mercury

thermostats

Current Projects Improve Chain HVAC Wholesaler Participation in

TRC Program (March 2005) 31 states where wholesaler headquarters located

TRC Expansion To HVAC Contractor Collection Locations (March 2005) Include larger urban and rural HVAC contractors Goal: double number of collection points by end 2005

Pilot Project To Collect Thermostats From HVAC Wholesalers Via HHW Programs (Fall 2005)

Other Project Agreements Pilot project to test a financial incentive for

HVAC contractors that collect and recycle mercury thermostats and replace them with energy star thermostats (OR, IN, King Cty WA)

Mail-back pilot project HVAC contractor outreach strategy Retailer/homeowner education strategy

Other Project Agreements Third dialogue meeting to address mercury

thermostat sales and other remaining issues: Demolition contractor collection Homeowner collection HVAC contractor collection

For more information

Product Stewardship Institute, Inc.

Scott CasselExecutive Director

(617) 236-4855 [email protected]://www.productstewardship.us

PresentationsMay 23 – 25, 2005Portland, Maine

Phasing Out Mercury Phasing Out Mercury Switch ThermostatsSwitch Thermostats

John JamesJohn James

Maine DEPMaine DEP

May 23, 2005May 23, 2005

[email protected]@maine.gov

(207) 287-7866(207) 287-7866

mailto:[email protected]

The ProblemThe Problem

Annual consumption of Hg in Annual consumption of Hg in thermostats is about 20 tons [2001 thermostats is about 20 tons [2001 data]data]

Thermostats in use in U.S. Thermostats in use in U.S. represent a Hg reservoir of at least represent a Hg reservoir of at least 200 tons.200 tons.

Each year, thermostats containing Each year, thermostats containing 10 to 15 tons of mercury are taken 10 to 15 tons of mercury are taken out of service.out of service.

A small fraction of this mercury A small fraction of this mercury [<5%] is known to be recycled[<5%] is known to be recycled

Estimated Annual Consumption of Estimated Annual Consumption of Mercury in ProductsMercury in Products

Thermostats -218%

Measuring Devices - 69

28%

Lamps - 218%

Batteries - 51%

Switches and Relays - 103

42%

Dental Amalgam - 34

14%

Source: EPA 2004.

Total annual consumption = 280 tonsTotal annual consumption = 280 tons

Switches and Relays - 57129%

Lamps - 593%

Thermometers - 412%

Dental Amalgam - 108855%

Thermostats -20911%

Source: EPA 2004

Estimated Mercury Reservoirs in Estimated Mercury Reservoirs in ProductsProducts

Total =1968 tons

Electronic thermostats:Electronic thermostats:

– Do not have mercury switchesDo not have mercury switches

– Readily available in the marketplaceReadily available in the marketplace

– Equal or superior in performance to Equal or superior in performance to mercury switch thermostats mercury switch thermostats

– Programmable, allowing energy Programmable, allowing energy savings from timed setbacksavings from timed setback

– Generally more reliable, longer Generally more reliable, longer service life than mercury switch service life than mercury switch thermostatsthermostats

The AlternativeThe Alternative

The SolutionThe Solution Legislation is the Legislation is the onlyonly way to ensure a way to ensure a

rapid end to the sale of mercury switch rapid end to the sale of mercury switch thermostats because:thermostats because:

1.1. Honeywell enjoys monopoly profits from its Honeywell enjoys monopoly profits from its round dial, mercury switch thermostat round dial, mercury switch thermostat

2.2. Honeywell is invested in the mercury switch Honeywell is invested in the mercury switch technology; unlikely to change on its owntechnology; unlikely to change on its own

3.3. Contractor resistance/homeowner Contractor resistance/homeowner preference preference

Connecticut effective July 1, 2004Connecticut effective July 1, 2004

Rhode Island effective July 1, 2005Rhode Island effective July 1, 2005

California, Maine, Oregon, and California, Maine, Oregon, and Vermont effective January 1, 2006Vermont effective January 1, 2006

Michigan effective January 1, 2010Michigan effective January 1, 2010

States that have banned the States that have banned the sale of mercury switch sale of mercury switch

thermostats thermostats

Options for banning the sale Options for banning the sale of mercury switch of mercury switch

thermostatsthermostats Product specific ban targeting thermostats only, Product specific ban targeting thermostats only,

e.g.:e.g.:

““Effective ____, a person may not sell or offer to sell a Effective ____, a person may not sell or offer to sell a mercury-added thermostat.”mercury-added thermostat.”

Generic ban targeting all mercury switches, e.g.:Generic ban targeting all mercury switches, e.g.:

““Effective ____, a person may not sell or offer to sell a Effective ____, a person may not sell or offer to sell a mercury switch individually or as a product component.”mercury switch individually or as a product component.”

Generic ban targeting products based on Hg Generic ban targeting products based on Hg amount: amount:

““Effective ____, a person may not sell or offer to sell a Effective ____, a person may not sell or offer to sell a product containing more than one gram of mercury.” product containing more than one gram of mercury.”

Is exemption language Is exemption language needed?needed?

Most states with thermostat bans authorize Most states with thermostat bans authorize exemptions if the manufacturer shows:exemptions if the manufacturer shows:

1.1. Hg thermostats provide a net benefit to public Hg thermostats provide a net benefit to public health or the environment; health or the environment; andand

2.2. A collection system is in place to ensure the A collection system is in place to ensure the thermostats do not end up the trash.thermostats do not end up the trash.

Manufacturers have been denied Manufacturers have been denied exemptions in Connecticut (Nov 2003) and exemptions in Connecticut (Nov 2003) and Maine (Aug 2004).Maine (Aug 2004).

Maine Board of Environmental Protection Maine Board of Environmental Protection unanimously upheld the exemption denial unanimously upheld the exemption denial in a deliberate, 27-page decision (May in a deliberate, 27-page decision (May 2005). 2005).

Thermostats for the blindThermostats for the blind

Maine law provides:Maine law provides:

After January 1, 2006, a person may not sell After January 1, 2006, a person may not sell … a mercury-added thermostat … a mercury-added thermostat except for a except for a thermostat used by a blind or visually thermostat used by a blind or visually impaired personimpaired person..

This language has proven This language has proven unnecessary.unnecessary.

Affordable, non-mercury thermostats Affordable, non-mercury thermostats adapted or adaptable for use by the adapted or adaptable for use by the blind are readily available. blind are readily available.

Thermostat take-back in Thermostat take-back in MaineMaine

Manufacturer run TRC collection program Manufacturer run TRC collection program captured about 1000 thermostats in captured about 1000 thermostats in 2004, 5% of estimated number available 2004, 5% of estimated number available for collection.for collection.

To improve collection numbers, Maine’s To improve collection numbers, Maine’s thermostat take-back law was amended thermostat take-back law was amended to require thermostat wholesalers to to require thermostat wholesalers to participate in the TRC program [see PL participate in the TRC program [see PL 2003, c. 640, eff. July 30, 2004] 2003, c. 640, eff. July 30, 2004]

About 70 wholesalers are subject to this About 70 wholesalers are subject to this requirement and have been provided requirement and have been provided with collection bins. with collection bins.

Possible amendment to Maine’s Possible amendment to Maine’s thermostat take-back lawthermostat take-back law

We are considering amending Maine law to read:We are considering amending Maine law to read:

A manufacturer of thermostats that contain mercury or a manufacturer A manufacturer of thermostats that contain mercury or a manufacturer of thermostats that may replace thermostats that contain mercury shall of thermostats that may replace thermostats that contain mercury shall … provide incentives for and sufficient information to purchasers and … provide incentives for and sufficient information to purchasers and consumers of the thermostats for the purchasers or consumers to consumers of the thermostats for the purchasers or consumers to ensure that mercury in thermostats being removed from service is ensure that mercury in thermostats being removed from service is reused, recycled recycled or otherwise [kept out of solid waste or reused, recycled recycled or otherwise [kept out of solid waste or wastewater]. A manufacturer that has complied with this subsection is wastewater]. A manufacturer that has complied with this subsection is not liable for improper disposal by purchasers or consumers of not liable for improper disposal by purchasers or consumers of thermostats. Manufacturer collection programs conducted in thermostats. Manufacturer collection programs conducted in accordance with universal waste rules adopted by the department meet accordance with universal waste rules adopted by the department meet the requirements of this subsection the requirements of this subsection provided the programs capture provided the programs capture a substantial percentage of the waste mercury thermostats a substantial percentage of the waste mercury thermostats available for collection, as determined by the department in available for collection, as determined by the department in consultation with the Mercury Products Advisory Committeeconsultation with the Mercury Products Advisory Committee. .

Rationale: Manufacturers argue that the current language Rationale: Manufacturers argue that the current language requires only that they make a program available; they are requires only that they make a program available; they are under no obligation to help ensure the service is used.under no obligation to help ensure the service is used.

References / ResourcesReferences / Resources North American HVAC Thermostat and Temperature North American HVAC Thermostat and Temperature

Control Markets, Control Markets, Frost & Sullivan (May, 2000)Frost & Sullivan (May, 2000)

A Review of Thermostat Energy Efficiency and Pricing , A Review of Thermostat Energy Efficiency and Pricing , Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (May 2003)Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (May 2003)

Eco Manufacturing, LLC v. Honeywell InternationalEco Manufacturing, LLC v. Honeywell International, S. D. , S. D. Ind., June 2003Ind., June 2003

A Plan to Improve the Collection of Mercury A Plan to Improve the Collection of Mercury Thermostats, Maine Department of Environment Thermostats, Maine Department of Environment (January 2004) (January 2004)

Findings of Fact and Order re: Appeal of Department Findings of Fact and Order re: Appeal of Department Decision Denying Request for Exemption from the Decision Denying Request for Exemption from the Prohibition on Sale of Mercury ThermostatsProhibition on Sale of Mercury Thermostats, Maine , Maine Board of Environmental Protection (May 2004) Board of Environmental Protection (May 2004)

PresentationsMay 23 – 25, 2005Portland, Maine

Department of Environmental Quality

GREEN FOR GREENGREEN FOR GREEN

Contractor IncentiveContractor IncentiveCollection PilotCollection Pilot

Presented by Jan WhitworthPresented by Jan WhitworthOregon DEQOregon DEQ


BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

• Policy Directive in 2000: Product Policy Directive in 2000: Product Stewardship Solutions for Mercury ProductsStewardship Solutions for Mercury Products

• Legislation in 2001Legislation in 2001 Label for safe disposalLabel for safe disposal HVAC installer notificationHVAC installer notification Ban on installation in 2006Ban on installation in 2006


Background cont’dBackground cont’d

• Thermostats Good Product Stewardship Thermostats Good Product Stewardship OptionOption Economical replacementsEconomical replacements Industry recovery program existsIndustry recovery program exists Room to grow in OregonRoom to grow in Oregon

• Collaboration with Product Stewardship Collaboration with Product Stewardship Institute (PSI)Institute (PSI)


Survey Summary - WholesalersSurvey Summary - Wholesalers

• 41% (17 of 42) Participate in TRC Program41% (17 of 42) Participate in TRC Program

• 100% Increased Awareness Needed100% Increased Awareness Needed

• 87% Support Incentive Program87% Support Incentive Program


Survey Summary - ContractorsSurvey Summary - Contractors

• 900 Surveys Mailed Out900 Surveys Mailed Out

• 232 Surveys Returned232 Surveys Returned

• 60 Participants, 172 Non-participants in TRC 60 Participants, 172 Non-participants in TRC ProgramProgram


Contractor Survey – What We LearnedContractor Survey – What We Learned

• TRC Program Easy and Convenient to UseTRC Program Easy and Convenient to Use 57% TRC Program easy to use and drop off 57% TRC Program easy to use and drop off

convenientconvenient Most use program 2 plus yearsMost use program 2 plus years Participants plan to continue using TRC Participants plan to continue using TRC

programprogram 95% of mercury thermostats from participating 95% of mercury thermostats from participating

contractors recycled through TRCcontractors recycled through TRC



• Awareness about TRC Program a ProblemAwareness about TRC Program a Problem Half non-participating contractors not awareHalf non-participating contractors not aware

Half non-participating contractors would use if Half non-participating contractors would use if they knewthey knew

Many did not know where to drop off thermostatsMany did not know where to drop off thermostats

Most want information via mail and webMost want information via mail and web



• If Participating Contractors Had TRC BoxIf Participating Contractors Had TRC Box >1/2 recycle more thermostats>1/2 recycle more thermostats

>1/2 accept from non-employee contractors>1/2 accept from non-employee contractors

>1/2 accept from homeowners>1/2 accept from homeowners


““Green for Green” Project ObjectivesGreen for Green” Project Objectives

• Increase Recovery from 1000 to 4000 Increase Recovery from 1000 to 4000 ThermostatsThermostats

• Institutionalize and Sustain Behavior to Use Institutionalize and Sustain Behavior to Use TRC ProgramTRC Program

• Save Energy by Promoting Energy Star Save Energy by Promoting Energy Star ReplacementsReplacements

• Test the Rebate Model to Accomplish These Test the Rebate Model to Accomplish These ObjectivesObjectives


What is “Green for Green”?What is “Green for Green”?

• HVAC Contractors Receive One Rebate HVAC Contractors Receive One Rebate Coupon for Each Mercury Thermostat They Coupon for Each Mercury Thermostat They Return to TRC WholesalerReturn to TRC Wholesaler

• HVAC Contractors Receive a $4 Rebate for HVAC Contractors Receive a $4 Rebate for Each Coupon Used Toward the Purchase of Each Coupon Used Toward the Purchase of a New Energy Star Thermostat from a a New Energy Star Thermostat from a WholesalerWholesaler


Who are the “Green for Green” Partners?Who are the “Green for Green” Partners?

• Oregon DEQ – Oregon DEQ – project implementationproject implementation• Portland General Electric – Portland General Electric – Finance RebatesFinance Rebates• Third Party Organization – Third Party Organization – Collection and Collection and

Rebate ManagementRebate Management• Contractors, Wholesalers – Contractors, Wholesalers – use programuse program• Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) – Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) –

Coordination and Project EvaluationCoordination and Project Evaluation


““Green for Green” Project ComponentsGreen for Green” Project Components

• 1 Year Pilot1 Year Pilot• Promotion – Direct Mail, Brochure, DisplayPromotion – Direct Mail, Brochure, Display• Collection Buckets for TechniciansCollection Buckets for Technicians• Wholesalers -Track and Manage CouponsWholesalers -Track and Manage Coupons• Contractors – Turn in Thermostats, Use Contractors – Turn in Thermostats, Use

Rebates, Encourage TechniciansRebates, Encourage Technicians• Pledge Program for ContractorsPledge Program for Contractors


How Much “Green for Green”?How Much “Green for Green”?

• Portland General Electric = $20,000 for Portland General Electric = $20,000 for Rebate ProgramRebate Program

• Third Party Organization = $1 per rebate Third Party Organization = $1 per rebate transactiontransaction

• Contractor = $4 per thermostat Contractor = $4 per thermostat collected/purchasedcollected/purchased


Contact InformationContact Information

Jan WhitworthJan Whitworth

Oregon Dept. of Environmental QualityOregon Dept. of Environmental Quality

811 SW Sixth Avenue811 SW Sixth Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97204Portland, Oregon 97204

Phone: 503 229-6434Phone: 503 229-6434

Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

presentations may 23 – 25, 2005

Documents

collection of mercury

mercury releases

trcmercury thermostats

nonmercury alternatives

nonhvac contractors

dialogue goals3explore

dialogue focuscollection

dialogue goals2increase