NY S04345

Thermostat manufacturers must individually or collectively establish and maintain collection programs for out-of-service mercury thermostats beginning January 1, 2013, providing free collection containers to wholesalers, contractors, retailers, and local government authorities (with a one-time administration fee not exceeding $75 per container).

Manufacturers must conduct education and outreach efforts including public service announcements, a publicly accessible website with downloadable materials, web-based locator tool by zip code, and distribution of informational materials to contractor associations and trade publications through December 31, 2015.

Collection programs must achieve statewide goals: 7,500 thermostats in 2013, 22,500 thermostats in 2014, with department-established goals for 2015-2022 designed to maximize annual collection.

Thermostat wholesalers must participate in collection programs and distribute educational materials beginning July 1, 2013, and wholesalers/retailers cannot sell thermostats from non-compliant manufacturers.

Contractors replacing or removing mercury thermostats must deliver them to collection sites or dispose of them pursuant to solid waste regulations; manufacturers must submit mid-term and annual reports to the department with detailed collection and program information.

The act expires and is repealed January 1, 2023.