By AP
EAST LANSING, MI – Michigan is working with an East Lansing nonprofit group to establish sites across the state where thermostats can be recycled free, helping keep mercury out of landfills and incinerators.
The state Department of Environmental Quality says it's awarding a $50,000 grant to East Lansing-based Urban Options to establish collection sites for home and commercial mercury thermostats.
Many older thermostats contain mercury switches and are being replaced with programmable thermostats to save energy and reduce heating costs.
Mercury pollution is possible if older thermostats aren't discarded properly.