A conventional thermostat should not be thrown into the regular trash because it

A conventional thermostat should not be thrown into the regular trash because it

• A. may contain copper
• B. may contain mercury
• C. recyclable mercury
• D. renewable energy source

Answer: (B)

Mercury-containing components in older, conventional thermostats create an environmental and health hazard if disposed with regular trash. A small amount of mercury in the switch can leak or vaporize if the device is crushed or broken in a landfill, potentially contaminating soil, water, and air. Because of this, these thermostats must be collected for proper disposal or recycling through household hazardous waste programs or thermostat take-back programs. While metals like copper are recyclable, and the device isn’t a renewable energy source, those points don’t address the risk posed by mercury, which is why the reason to avoid regular trash is the presence of mercury.

Mercury-containing components in older, conventional thermostats create an environmental and health hazard if disposed with regular trash. A small amount of mercury in the switch can leak or vaporize if the device is crushed or broken in a landfill, potentially contaminating soil, water, and air. Because of this, these thermostats must be collected for proper disposal or recycling through household hazardous waste programs or thermostat take-back programs. While metals like copper are recyclable, and the device isn’t a renewable energy source, those points don’t address the risk posed by mercury, which is why the reason to avoid regular trash is the presence of mercury.