The Canadian government is promoting the use of energy efficient light bulbs which contain mercury, but will not make recycling of them mandatory.
Photo Credit: Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press

Decision on light bulbs risks mercury pollution

The Canadian government has pulled back from a plan to make the recycling of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) mandatory, in favour of a voluntary code of practice for companies that sell them, says the public broadcaster CBC.

CFLs are much more energy efficient and in 2007, the government said it would ban incandescent light bulbs to save energy. The downside with CFLs is that they contain mercury which is a toxic element. They must be disposed of carefully and mandatory recycling would have been one way to ensure that.

Risk to water and soil

“If it’s not mandatory that these be recycled, they just aren’t going to be (recycled) on the scale that’s needed,” says Stuart Hickox, president of One Change, a charity which promotes conservation. “Millions of these bulbs are going to end up in regular trash and therefore, pose a risk to the water table and soil.”

ListenMost Canadians have garbage regularly collected from near their homes. But disposal of hazardous waste is more complicated. People often have to do some research to find out where and when they can take it locally.

Government change of plan ‘disappointing’

People who recycle light bulbs are likely to take other action to recycle and preserve the environment, says Hickox. He says it’s disappointing the government didn’t get the ball rolling by introducing mandatory recycling of CFLs.

‘Abdication of responsibility’

“By the government stepping away from responsibility on recycling this very symbolic product—the lightbulb—they’re losing the opportunity to set a framework for dialogue on safe disposal of all household hazardous waste,” says Hickox. “It’s an abdication of responsibility that I think is shameful.”

The government has however presented new rules which in 2015 will limit the amount of mercury contained in CFLs.

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