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Saving the World One Thermostat at a Time – the hows and whys of thermostat recycling by Ryan L. Kiscaden (Edited for grammar and clarity by LEEP Calendar) A Brief Background Honeywell, White-Rogers, and General Electric started Thermostat Recycling Corp. (TRC) as a nonprofit in 1998 to safely remove mercury-containing thermostats and keep them out of the waste stream. Because mercury is an element, you cannot destroy it, and scientists have identified it as a hazardous substance to humans and animals. Furthermore, the media has raised concerns about the safety of mercury in our waterways and the dangers of eating fish with unacceptable levels of mercury. Today, 31 manufacturers participate in TRC's efforts with financial support. We have a clear-cut, collective goal: Keep mercury out of the waste stream to protect the environment. The Process When TRC first examined the issue of thermostat removal, it formulated what amounted to a supply chain solution to begin the removal and recycling process. The effort was initially confined to the cooling and heating industry (HVACR). Most change-outs of a thermostat would occur when a contractor replaced the old one (containing mercury) with a newer model. We wanted to make the exchange not only easy but rewarding. But to reach these contractors (and ultimately HVACR wholesalers, too), promoting the message was key. The Message Before implementing the recycling process, we used every available media vehicle across a broad and continuous marketing campaign to promote the message about the dangers of mercury entering the environment without proper disposal of mercury thermostats. The announcement was front and center, from press to trade shows to collateral material, earned, and social media. One lesson we learned was the importance of durability. A public relations expert told us, "Unless you have an instant need on the part of your target audience, don't expect immediate results. Some public relations campaigns are successful because they last long and constantly remain visible. Their campaigns succeed because they're durable and not because they are intrinsically interesting or even creative." The Government Throughout our years of recycling mercury thermostats, we have encountered legislative bodies that oversee removing mercury-containing thermostats. About half of the states have mandates that deal specifically with this issue. This aspect imparts both a legislative component to our efforts as well as a legal one. To justify our existence, TRC must demonstrate both good-faith effort and success in pursuing its cause. The legal component of our messaging is conveying to people that replacing their thermostats has financial and liability issues that could affect them. Shifting Sand As noted earlier, our initial network focused on the HVACR contractors replacing the thermostats and the HVACR wholesalers who held our bins for collection. In 2006, our program expanded to include household hazardous waste collection sites and thermostat retailers. Our momentum increased significantly when TRC partnered with Heating, Air Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), the premier wholesale trade association representing most of the more prominent HVACR distributors in the United States. As part of our marketing, we created the Biggest Man on the Planet Award (BMOP). We keep tallies of which organizations recycle the most mercury and highlight the top three winners at HARDI's annual conference. The spark of competition adds some spice (and media attention) to the humdrum act of collecting thermostats. We've been promoting the BMOP message ever since 2015. Show Me the Money & Warn Me About the Liability It all comes down, ultimately, to the money. And in our world, that centers on the rebate. Here's what we can safely surmise, the amount of money that induces someone to act is open to debate. In certain regions, we offer a $5 rebate to contractors on mercury thermostats collected. Our challenge lies in determining a high enough price to prompt participation but not so high that we bankrupt the budget. And the added crunch to the issue is the good news-bad news syndrome. The good news – we believe that our success has led to a drop-off in collections since 2014. The bad news? The cost to administer the program continues to increase, especially when we view it through the lens of cost-per-thermostat retrieval. The Influence of Smart Thermostats Consumers (leaving aside a small number of DIYers) will generally remove and replace a thermostat by calling a contractor. But there can be a motivation for consumers, too, as many are now becoming interested in smart thermostats that offer more options. A combination of falling prices on certain intelligent thermostats, and utilities offering rebates, make it far more likely to impact consumers' decisions than a rebate we pay to a contractor. So, in a sense, the change is more likely to initiate from the consumer (for all the benefits of a smart thermostat) yet is tied to a contractor who has the added incentive of a rebate for following proper recycling protocols. The thermostat product landscape has changed too. A decade ago, who would have thought that having a neat-looking thermostat in your home could be cool (forgive the pun)? The benefit to utilities is that they help their customers save on energy costs with an intelligent thermostat while also building their consumer usage and preferences database. The advantage of having a utility involved is they often will have an approved contractor who knows the installation process and how to recycle a mercury thermostat. It's Not Just About the Incentive . While economic incentives are appealing and have played a significant role, Tom Murray, an environmental consultant (www.ensuringtheirfuture.com), suggests an alternative messaging we must not overlook. Murray says the appeal to a higher cause — our environment — is the carrot, and the stick draws attention to the liability issue. "Many people simply aren't aware of the statutes out there that address the issue of properly disposing of mercury-containing thermostats," he said. If a problem occurs, the contractor could be liable if he leaves the mercury thermostat behind. He also offered his thoughts on how to affect the behavior of DIYers who might buy a smart thermostat from a retailer, bypassing the contractor altogether. "Why not include in the box their purchase information on how to properly dispose of the old mercury-containing thermostat," he said. "The consumer might not realize that his old thermostat represents a hazard, and you've given him an easy answer to deal with its disposal." Another reason we shouldn't be afraid to mention the liability issue is personal injury attorneys. Some may be trawling for class action suits and find enough cases to prompt action dealing with mercury-containing thermostats. It has not happened yet, but there's no saying it could not. Aside from incentives, the environment, or legal compliance, sometimes the motivation to remove an old thermostat rests simply on wanting to be "smarter." Jason Powers, the founder of Powers IoT (www.powersiot.com), turns homes and multifamily units into "smart" homes with the latest in thermostats, lighting, and cameras. While transforming dwellings into digital command centers for IoT homes is his business, Powers adds, "The rebate is a boost, but we also do it because it protects our environment." Mercury-Containing Thermostats: A Historical Perspective The first efforts to recycle mercury-containing thermostats started with the passage of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act on Oct. 21, 1976. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act — commonly referred to as RCRA — was our nation's primary law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. The law intended to address the increasing problems the nation faced from a growing volume of municipal and industrial waste. It identified certain "metals of concern," such as mercury, and flagged products that contained mercury. After the RCRA's enactment, mercury thermostats were co-mingled (pardon the recycling pun) with other household products (batteries, certain pesticides, and lamps) that fell under RCRA enforcement. This rule – published in 1995 – included lowering the standards for manifest shipping requirements, defining small quantity generator designations, and classifying these products as universal wastes instead of hazardous ones. Lessening their designations allowed for the streamlining of recycling programs, eased the regulatory burden, and reduced the number of hazardous wastes going to landfills or municipal combustors. The rule allowed several states to tighten legislation requiring manufacturers to pay for recycling or develop penalties for improper disposal of mercury thermostats through disposal bans. Along with RCRA, the Mercury Export Ban Act (MEBA) of 2008 required a reduction in the use of mercury in products and prohibited the reintroduction of mercury back into commerce. MEBA eliminated the market for mercury-containing products such as mercury thermostats, even though their product life cycle was declining. MEBA required the Department of Energy to designate and operate long-term management of storage for elemental mercury generated in the U.S. To date, the long-term storage plan is incomplete." Author: Ryan L. Kiscaden is the Executive Director of the Ft. Washington, PA-based Thermostat Recycling Corp., a nonprofit that 31 manufacturers support. --------------------------------------

Africa

Oct

Red Bull Tuk Tuk Tournament (LK): October 20 - November 1

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The Redbull Tuk Tuk Tournament is an exciting 13-day "Amazing Race" style journey filled with adventure and exploration featuring a treasure hunt across the diverse landscapes of Sri Lanka. The search culminates in a thrilling race to the finish line, where teams compete for a coveted trophy. The Tuk Tuk Tournament is an event and an adventure travel experience where non-professional athletes and explorers pay to be on teams. The tournament, which features 80 teams from around the globe (team entries sell out 12-18 months early) with two or three participants each, promises a blend of quests and challenges that will take competitors off the beaten path. Participants will explore lesser-known attractions, offering them a unique perspective of Sri Lanka's rich cultural and geographical diversity. This route will guide participants through villages, cities, beaches, waterfalls, monasteries, and surf spots. It will also lead them through winding roads, rice mills, tea plantations, and mountain tops, providing stunning views at every turn. The tournament offers an array of experiences designed to immerse participants in the local culture. Stays in local homes, farm visits, tractor rides, and even beach clean-ups are included in the itinerary. Participants will also be able to assist artisans in creating their masterpieces, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching experience. The event is a unique blend of adventure, culture, and exploration, allowing participants to see Sri Lanka like never before. Whether for the thrill of the hunt, the lure of adventure, or the beauty of Sri Lanka, this tournament promises to be an unforgettable experience. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Oct

Red Ribbon Week (DEA): October 23-31

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Red Ribbon Week began in 1988. National Family Partnership (NFP) uses the National Red Ribbon Campaign™ to promote drug awareness. Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena (March 1985), angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to ending the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America. The campaign catalyzed communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. The first time a ribbon was used as an awareness symbol worn on a person was in 1979. The wife of an American hostage at the US Embassy in Iran, Penney Laingen, used a looped yellow ribbon on her lapel each day of the crisis to remind people of the situation and show support for her husband coming home. Since 1979, numerous organizations have adopted different colors of looped ribbons to raise awareness of their causes.

Africa

Oct

Reformation Sunday (C)(1517): October 27

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On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, 95 theses against the indulgences and corruption in the Roman Catholic church. It was an act of protest that would change the world and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Within two decades, what we now call Germany and England would abandon Catholicism as the state faith. From this simple act, the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, and multiple other denominations of Christianity would rise. Reformation Sunday is the day Protestants remember this act, which is always on the Sunday preceding October 31 or the day itself.

Africa

Oct

Relief of Leiden Day (NL)(1574): October 3

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Between 1572 and 1574, the Dutch and Spanish fought a war. On October 3, 1574, under the leadership of William of Orange, the Spanish army fled Leiden, which had been under siege for a year. Over 18,000 people died of starvation or plague during the siege. The removal of Spanish troops ended the war. Relief of Leiden Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Oct

Reptile Day, Ntl.: October 21

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National Reptile day is promoted by Reptile Magazine and supported by several environmental organizations. It seeks to raise awareness and respect for reptiles' role in the ecosystem and encourage best practices in their care as pets. Many are endangered or close to extinction, while others are necessary for the environment, containing pests, including flies and mosquitos.

Africa

Oct

Republic Day, (HU)(1956/1989): October 23

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Republic Day in Hungary marks the anniversary of October 23, 1956, the beginning of the uprising against the Soviet Union. The Soviets crushed the rebellion on November 4, and it wouldn't be until this day in 1989 that Hungary would finally become independent. Republic Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Oct

Republic Day, (PT)(1910): October 5

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Republic Day in Portugal marks the anniversary of October 5, 1910, when Portugal became a republic. Republic Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Oct

Republic Day, Turkey (1923): October 29

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On October 29, 1923, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, an officer in the Turkish Army, declared the Republic of Turkey. He served as its first president from 1923 until he died in 1938. Republic Day is an official state holiday celebrated with joy and patriotism.

Africa

Oct

Respiratory Care Week, Ntl.: October 20-26

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National Respiratory Care Week is the last week of October in the United States. Organized and promoted by the American Association for Respiratory Care and respiratory professionals nationwide, this annual event recognizes the respiratory care profession. It promotes awareness of lung health, issues and problems.

Africa

Oct

Retirement Security Week, Ntl.: October 20-26

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National Retirement Security Week promotes fiscal responsibility and raises awareness about the importance of preparing for your latter years and retirement. Goals for National Retirement Security Week: • Educate workers about the importance/need for saving for retirement. • Educate workers on how retirement savings is key to financial health and security. • Increase awareness of the various options in saving for retirement. • For plan sponsors to see an increase in retirement plan participation.

Africa

Oct

Retrocession Day (TW)(1945): October 25

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Retrocession Day in Taiwan marks the end of fifty years of Japanese rule in 1945. Japan took control of the island in 1894 when China lost it during the Sino-Japanese War. Today, Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country, and China continues to insist Taiwan is part of China, which entered its current incarnation in 1949. Retrocession Day is a national holiday on the island.

Africa

Oct

Rett Syndrome Awareness Month: October

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Rett Syndrome Awareness Month raises awareness about the dangers and damage of Rett Syndrome, a unique postnatal neurotic disorder first recognized in infancy and usually in girls. It's a condition often misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy, or non-specific developmental delay. It strikes worldwide in one of every ten thousand female births. This event first ran ins 2008.

Africa

Oct

Revolution Day, (GT)(1944): October 20

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Revolution Day in Guatemala marks the anniversary of October 20, 1944, the official day the dictator Jorge Ubico Castañeda was deposed. He was to Central America what Napoleon was to Europe, and Revolution Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Oct

Ride2Work Day (AU): October 16

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National Ride2Work Day is Australia’s largest celebration of commuter riding. Held annually in October, the day celebrates the benefits of riding to work and brings together the communities that support it. The main objective of the day is to normalize the idea of riding to work. It encourages people who have never ridden to work before to give it a go, and it allows regular riders to stay motivated and encourage their workmates to get involved.

Africa