Mercury-Containing Lights Product Stewardship Program

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Washington State Mercury Lights Product Stewardship Plan Guidelines

Ecology received comments on the draft plan guidelines on June 17,2011. Revised guidelines were posted on this website in July 2011. Contact Kara Steward at kara.steward@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6250 if you have questions.

In 2010 the Washington Legislature passed the law for Mercury-Containing Lights - proper disposal (Chapter 70.275 RCW). This law establishes a producer-financed product stewardship program for the collection, transportation and recycling of mercury-containing lights.
Mercury-containing lights were chosen for product stewardship for the following reasons:

• Mercury is a toxic metal that accumulates in our bodies and the environment.
• When mercury-containing lights are broken, mercury is released into the environment.
• Use of mercury-containing lights is increasing, because they are energy efficient.
• A safe way to collect and recycle these lights is needed.

Mercury-Containing Lights tells what types of lights contain mercury and why recycling is important.

Mercury-Containing Lights and Lights as Universal Waste is a page with information for businesses on how to handle mercury-containing lights.

Important Dates

• June 30, 2012 - The sale or purchase of bulk mercury is prohibited.
• January 1, 2012 - Mercury-containing lights producers submit a product stewardship plan to Ecology for review and approval.
• January 1, 2013 - Mercury-containing lights product stewardship program fully implemented.
• January 1, 2013 - No producer may distribute, sell, or offer for sale mercury-containing lights for residential use in Washington unless they are participating in a product stewardship program.
• January 1, 2013 - All users must recycle mercury-containing lights.
• January 1, 2020 - Achieve statewide goal of recycling all end-of-life mercury-containing lights.

Where can I recycle mercury-containing lights?

Visit www.earth911.org to find mercury-containing light recycling services in your area.

Visit 1-800-RECYCLE, click on "Miscellaneous" under the Recyclable Material category to find "Fluorescent Lights."

Mercury light drop-off sites across the state, from King County research conducted in 2010. The information in these lists has not been updated; contact Earth911.org for more current data.

CFL and Tube Drop Off Site List
CFL Drop Off Map
Tube Drop Off Map