SB2813 - Mercury Thermostat Collection Act

• Requires thermostat manufacturers to submit collection and financial incentive plans to the Illinois EPA by October 1, 2011, and implement approved plans by January 1, 2012.

• Establishes minimum $5.00 financial incentives for contractors and homeowners who return mercury thermostats to collection sites or wholesalers.

• Prohibits thermostat wholesalers and retailers from selling thermostats beginning April 1, 2011, unless they operate as collection sites and participate in education and outreach programs about mercury thermostat collection.

• Requires manufacturers to provide collection containers to wholesalers and registered collection points, with initial one-time fees not exceeding specified amounts per container.

• Directs the Illinois EPA to maintain a public registry of collection points, conduct educational outreach, and report annually to the General Assembly on collection effectiveness, with a goal of collecting and recycling at least 65 percent of out-of-service mercury thermostats by July 1, 2012.