Summary.
Would allow Californians to return their waste thermostats to any location that sells new thermostats. Companies that make new thermostats for sale in the state would pick up most of the costs for the recycling program.

Position and Status.
CAW Supports. AB 2347 passed the full Assembly April 21 with a 47-28 vote and will next be heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Previously, the measure passed out of the Asm. Appropriations Committee with a vote of 12-5 and the Asm. Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee April 1 with a 5-0 vote.

Description.
Mercury thermostats should be kept out of our air and water because on average they contain over 3,000 milligrams of the toxin. It is estimated that only 5 percent of California's mercury thermostats are properly managed.

The bill would require a collection and recycling program for out-of-service mercury-added thermostats, meeting certain requirements, to be established on and after April 1, 2009. AB 2347 would require a wholesaler that has a physical location in the state, to act as a collection site for out-of-service mercury-added thermostats.

CAW Staff Contact.

Mark Murray (916) 443-5422

Supporters.
Californians Against Waste
California Product Stewardship Council (co-sponsor)
Sierra Club (co-sponsor)
AFSCME
California Association of Environmental Health Administrators
California Retailers Association
Clean Water Action
City of Sunnyvale
City of Santa Monica
Napa County
Planning and Conservation League
Regional Council of Rural Counties

Opponents.

Current Language, Analyses and votes