Waste 2 Resources > Mercury-Containing Lights > Consumers

What Consumers Need To Know

The 2010 law, Mercury-Containing Lights - proper disposal ( Chapter 70.275 RCW) establishes a producer-financed product stewardship program for the collection, recycling, and disposal of mercury-containing lights. All persons, government, commercial, industrial, retail facilities, and office buildings must recycle their mercury-containing lights. As incandescent lights are phased off the store shelves, mercury-containing lighting will be more commonly used in households. These lights are more energy efficient than incandescent lights.

Mercury-containing lights must not be placed in the garbage.

Why should I be concerned?

When broken, mercury lights release toxic mercury to the air, which accumulates in our environment. When a mercury-containing light bulb breaks some of the mercury is immediately released to the air. The health impacts from mercury exposure are explained on the Department of Health mercury page.

If you do break a mercury-containing light, follow these instructions for cleanup and ventilation.

When and how does the product stewardship affect me?

January 1, 2013, a producer-funded recycling program will be available for anyone returning less than 15 light bulbs in a 90-day time period. This includes single-family and multi-family households as well as small businesses, non-profits, or other legal entities recycling less than 15 lights in the 90-day period. There will be no charge at the drop off location. Producers of the mercury-containing lights will pay for collecting, transporting, and recycling of the mercury-containing lights.

Where can I recycle my lights today?

Collection sites for 2013 will be available soon. Visit www.productcare.org/WALights for up-to-date information.

Visit 1800recycle.wa.gov or www.earth911.org to find mercury-containing light recycling services in your area.

For more information about mercury-containing lights visit www.lamprecycle.org