Thursday, May 28, 2009

Maine Passes Take Back for CFLs

California Product Stewardship Council
May 28, 2009


AUGUSTA, Maine, May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With nearly unanimous support, the Maine Legislature passed new, first-in-the-nation, legislation to reduce mercury pollution by requiring compact fluorescent light bulb manufacturers to share the costs and responsibility for recycling their mercury-containing bulbs.  Governor Baldacci is expected to sign Maine's bill soon.  Similar bills are now pending in MA and VT.

"Maine has once again demonstrated national leadership to prevent toxic pollution," said Matt Prindiville, Clean Production Project Director for Natural Resources Council of Maine. "Mercury-containing bulbs need to be recycled, and this bill ensures ongoing funding for a collection program that works well for consumers and our environment."

LD 973 puts the responsibilities for bulb recycling into the hands of the private sector.  It has producers, not taxpayers, pay for the collection and recycling of bulb, with lamp makers having an incentive to manage costs in the most efficient way.

"With this bill, Maine twice reduces the mercury in our environment," said Rep. Seth Berry, the bill's sponsor.  "First, we reduce our electrical consumption; second, we ensure that CFLs are correctly disposed of.  Equally important, Maine once again demonstrates to the nation that it is good business practice for manufacturers to participate in the end life of the products they bring to market."

The law sets a standard to limit the mercury content of all lighting, lowering mercury use and hazards to workers and the environment.  It also improves the state's procurement policy to purchase fluorescent lighting with low mercury content while maximizing energy efficiency and lamp life. 

"Thanks to some good bipartisan work, Mainers will be able to enjoy the substantial benefits of compact florescent light bulbs, while sharing the responsibility of removing mercury from the waste stream," said Rep. Bob Duschene, House Chair of the Natural Resources Committee. "We need to ensure that products that contain hazardous materials are safely managed at the end of their useful life," said Seth Goodall, Senate Chair of the Natural Resources Committee.  

Retailers may choose to serve as collection centers and inform customers and the State informs citizens and provides oversight for the recycling program. Like Maine's prior laws on thermostats and auto switches, the new law provides a model that other states can follow to reduce toxic pollution.  

"Passage of this law sends a clear message out nationally (and globally) that a new day is dawning for total life cycle management and shared responsibility--from 'the cradle to the grave' for products containing mercury and other hazardous substances," said Mercury Policy Project Director Michael Bender.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are an important part of efforts to reduce energy costs, say environmentalists.  Just one CFL can save $30 to $100 on reduced energy costs over its lifetime, but they contain mercury and therefore should not throw them in the trash.