BC planning fluorescent lamp program for 2010

BC is anticipating the set-up of a stewardship program for residential-use fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs, running from 2010 to 2015. The program would be the responsibility of the Electrical Equipment Manufacturers Association of Canada (EEMAC), operated by a non-profit formed by EEMAC, and led by product producers. Management of the program would fall to Product Care. BC already has an existing depot network which would be contracted to handle the bulbs. Consumers would not pay for depot use. Processors, of which there are three in BC, and another five elsewhere in Canada, would be responsible for collection and transportation.

Initial targets are quite modest, as there is nothing to compare to elsewhere in Canada. They are being based on capture rate - recovery as a percentage of product believed to be available - due to the "long and varied lifespan of the products". For the last 6 months of 2010, the target is 10%, rising to 40% for the first 6 months of 2015.

Considering that the bulbs contain toxic mercury, that CFLs are becoming increasingly popular with consumers, and that a national ban on incandescent bulbs is expected in 2012, this type of stewardship program is seen as the logical next move. With luck, more provinces will emulate BC in the next months to come.

(Source: Recycling Canada in November 2009 WasteWatch)

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