Maine bulb recycling bill first in US

Maine has become the first state to require light bulb manufacturers to establish recycling programs for fluorescent light bulbs containing mercury.

The bill calls for manufacturer-financed recycling programs for compact fluorescent bulbs, which are known for their long service and energy economy, and older tubular bulbs to be in place by January 2011.

The new law says "convenient" locations, such as municipal collection sites and participating retail stores, should be chosen throughout the state for recycling centers. The sites will have to be approved by state officials. The requirement, which succeeds a pilot, voluntary recycling program that was created in 2007, applies only to bulbs used in households.

An existing state law calls for recycling of fluorescent bulbs used commercially, and Maine is among other states, including Massachusetts, Vermont and California, that ban disposal of all fluorescent lights in trash.

(Source: RCO in August 2009 WasteWatch)

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