Producer responsibility bill for mercury-added lamps proposed

July 2, 2012
By Jeremy Carroll

Lawmakers in Massachusetts have proposed a producer responsibility bill for mercury-added lamps.

House Bill 4207 aims at increasing the recycling of the mercury-added lamps, a category of compact florescent bulbs, by forcing manufacturers to start a collection and recycling program individually or as a collective. The manufacturers would be financially responsible for all the costs and expenses of its collection and recycling program.

Municipalities can hold collection events as part of the program, but no resident, small business or organization can dispose of more than seven mercury-added lamps per month.

Municipalities are not required to participate in the collection and recycling programs. No manufacturer is allowed to sell the lamps in the state without a recycling program in place by Aug. 1, 2013, according to the bill.

The bill is in the House Ways and Means committee.

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