Comment sought on mercury lighting rules

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks public comment on a proposed rule Ecology says is necessary to carry out the law creating the state's Mercury-Containing Lights Product Stewardship Program.

Washington lawmakers passed the law during the 2010 legislative session. It establishes a producer-financed product stewardship program to collect, transport and recycle residential mercury-containing lights such as fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs. Consumers of these lights will be able to recycle them safely, conveniently, and at no cost, Ecology says.

As more people switch to energy-efficient lighting that contains mercury, disposal of these lights creates environmental problems. It's unsafe to discard burnt-out (spent) fluorescent lights in the trash. It will also be illegal beginning Jan. 1, 2013 under this law.

According to Ecology, broken fluorescent lights expose workers, residents and children to toxic mercury vapors. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. Releasing it into the environment is a threat to public health. The new law requires Ecology to establish rules to implement this program. The purpose of this rule is to clarify the following:

• Responsibilities of producers, wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and electric utilities to safely recycle residential mercury-containing lights sold in Washington state.  
• How administration, enforcement and oversight costs will be reimbursed.  
• Program requirements, such as product stewardship plan, outreach and education efforts, and annual reporting requirements.
• Requirements for collecting, transporting, processing and recycling of mercury-containing lights.
• Process for enforcing the law.  

The comment period ends on Aug. 14. The public can give Ecology comments by writing to Department of Ecology, Kara J. Steward PO Box 47600 Olympia, WA 98504-7600 or emailing comments to kara.steward@ecy.wa.gov.

Members of the public will also be able to testify at the public hearing on August 7 at 1 p.m. At Department of Ecology Northwest Regional Office 3190 - 160th Ave. SE Bellevue

- Staff report