Mercury-filled light bulb disposal soon to be federally regulated

Mercury-filled light bulb disposal soon to be federally regulated

CBC Nova Scotia - June 14, 2016 - Canadian lawmakers who have encouraged consumers to buy compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) for years, will soon set out rules for how to dispose of them.

CFLs last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs and use less electricity. But, inside each twisty tube is toxic mercury powder that can pollute huge quantities of water.

Mercury is so potent, that the amount found in a single household medical thermometer — 500 milligrams — could contaminate more than seven Olympic-sized swimming pools, containing 22.5 million litres of water.

CFLs each contain three to five milligrams of mercury powder; fluorescent tubes contain up to 12 mg.

'What we're doing right now just isn't working'

"I think everyone can agree that what we're doing right now just isn't working," said Darren Fisher, the MP for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour. "All of these light bulbs are currently going in the garbage."

He said the CFLs end up in landfills, shatter and release mercury into the ecosystem.

Fisher has introduced a private member's bill in the House of Commons, to create a national strategy for the safe disposal of CFLs.

Until now, any rules for diverting the mercury-filled lights from landfills have come from a patchwork of municipal bylaws and provincial directives.

Too early to know about fees

Fisher says adding regulations won't necessarily add costs for consumers.

"This bill speaks to starting the conversation, it doesn't presuppose an outcome, he said.

Many items already have responsible recycling strategies and not all of them include fees passed on to the consumer. 

Nationally, there is a: 

  • Battery Recycling Program (no fees to consumers)
  • Mercury Switch Recovery Program (funded by steel and automotive industries)
  • Mobile Device Recycling Program (no fees to consumers)
  • Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program (fees paid by manufacturers)
  • Pesticide Container Recycling Program (fees paid by manufacturers)
  • Refrigerants Management — ozone depleting substances (environmental levy charged to consumers)

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