FAQ

Program Details

What happens to the collected mercury-containing thermostats?

HRAI provides each participating contractor with collection kits for the fully intact mercury-containing and electronic/digital thermostats they remove for their customers. Once collection kits are full, Purolator Courier picks them up and delivers them (at no cost to the contractor) to the recycler. At the recycler, the thermostats are dismantled, plastics and metals are recycled, the glass mercury bulbs are safely removed, and the collected mercury is safely stored.

Who funds the program?

The TRP is funded by the manufacturers and distributors that sell and/or import or have historically sold and/or imported mercury-containing thermostats into Canada.

Do new thermostats work as well as older, mercury-containing thermostats?

Even better! New programmable thermostats provide you the opportunity to have more control over the temperature of your home and the timing of your air-regulation system. You can save money on your utility bills by limiting air-conditioning and heating use while away from home.

Does my thermostat contain mercury?

To determine if your thermostat contains mercury, please refer to our Consumer Tip on Safe Thermostat Recycling.

Program Logistics

Where does TRP operate?

The TRP operates Canada-wide and is always expanding. To find participating collection sites near you, use our Public Drop-Off Location Lookup Tool or contact the TRP team.

How can I participate in the TRP?

You can fill out our short Registration Form to join the program. You will receive confirmation of your registration from our TRP Coordinator.

Upon registering, HRAI will send you a collection pail and a pre-paid return Purolator waybill within two weeks.

How much does it cost to participate?

There is no cost to participate in the TRP either as a collection site, regardless of type (contractor, wholesaler, municipal depot, recycling centre, consumer).

How do I return my full pail of thermostats?

Each pail is sent with a pre-paid Purolator waybill. With this return waybill, all you have to do is call Purolator at 1-888-744-7123 to have the pail picked up at your location at a time and day that is convenient for you!

Once it arrives at the recycling facility, you will automatically receive replacement a pail and waybill at your location within a 2-3 week turnaround period.

What if I have lost/misplaced my Purolator waybill?

Please contact the TRP team for a replacement waybill via email, eligible for same-day shipping only!

How do I request more thermostat pails?

To request any additional materials, please contact the TRP team.

How often are thermostat pails sent to participants?

Upon registering, all participants receive program materials to start collecting thermostats. Replacement pails and waybills are only issued when a participant has returned their collection pail(s) of thermostats to the program's recycling facility in Ontario via Purolator.

At the beginning of each month, HRAI receives a collection report from the TRP's recycling facility and automatically sends replacement materials to participants who have returned their pail(s) during the previous month.

Need a pail sooner? Please contact the TRP team.