• The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) is the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) authorized to operate the Switch the ‘Stat Program. This stewardship program in Manitoba was established to provide safe collection and recycling opportunities for mercury-containing thermostats.
• The Program was launched in Manitoba on April 1, 2011 operating under the authority of the Household Hazardous Material and Prescribed Material Stewardship Regulation (MR 16/10) of the Waste Reduction and Prevention (WRAP) Act.
• The Program is delivered by Summerhill Impact, a national, not-for-profit environmental organization.

Hundreds of mercury-containing thermostats are replaced each year in Manitoba.  If they end up in a landfill, mercury can leak out and potentially contaminate the air, groundwater, surface water and other drinking water sources.  Mercury accumulates through the food chain and can be ingested by humans through the consumption of fish.

MERCURY-CONTAINING THERMOSTATS ARE  COLLECTED THROUGH TWO CHANNELS:

1. Contractors/wholesalers - removal and collection by contractors and wholesalers, whose facilities also act as drop off locations for the general public, and
2. Send-back option - for Manitobans living in northern and remote areas. If there are no participating contractors near your home or business, you can receive a special container for sending back your intact thermostat directly to the recycler, free of charge.

Once at the recycler, the thermostats are counted, documented, dismantled and recycled.
The mercury is removed from the glass vial, distilled and sent for re-sale/re-use in products.  All other components of the thermostat - plastic, glass and metal - are recycled.

The program is funded through the manufacturers and distributors who previously sold mercury-containing thermostats in Manitoba. There is no cost to participate in the program and there are no eco-fees charged on the purchase of new thermostats.

Visit Switch the 'Stat website at www.switchthestat.ca, contact Summerhill Impact by telephone (416) 922-2448 x241 or by email.

• Switch the ‘Stat program and recycling information: Click Here
• Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada: Clink Here
• Waste Reduction and Prevention (WRAP) Act: Click Here
• Household Hazardous Material and Prescribed Material Stewardship Regulation: Click Here
• Program Guidelines: Click Here
• Other Manitoba Stewardship Programs: Click Here

Have Questions About Recycling in Manitoba?

Call Green Manitoba in Winnipeg (204) 945-3268 outside Winnipeg toll free: 1-866-460-3118 or by email.