Like most Canadians, you probably recycle your paper waste and compost your kitchen scraps. But when it comes to disposing of your thermostat, whether mercury-containing or electronic, chances are you’re tempted to throw it out with the rest of your garbage. In fact, you may not even realize that the thermostat hanging on your wall could contain toxic mercury (Hg). If so, there are a few things you should know, like the potential hazards of having a mercury thermostat in your home and in the landfill, and how to safely and responsibly recycle your thermostat when the time comes to replace it. Does my thermostat contain mercury? To check if your thermostat contains mercury, remove the front plate and look inside (often toward the base of the unit). If you see a small glass vial or ampoule (switch) with a silvery liquid inside, it contains mercury. Mercury thermostats were the…