Safe disposal of mercury-containing lamps
The Environment Protection Heritage Council (EPHC) - which is made up of state, territory, and Commonwealth environment ministers - is currently investigating the issues associated with the end-of-life management (disposal methods) of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and other mercury-containing lamps.
The EPHC has consulted with industry stakeholders, including the Australian Council of Recyclers, to gather information and to identify the nature and extent of any problems likely to be posed by landfill disposal of CFLs. This work is ongoing, and any recommendations resulting from this investigation will be taken into account in the formulation of a national approach on this matter.
Disposing of mercury-containing lamps
A variety of lamp types used in Australia require mercury to operate. Generally the higher the power usage, the more mercury is required in the operation of the lamp. Mercury-containing lamps include:
- high pressure discharge (HID) lamps such as mercury vapour lamps, which typically contain about 30 milligrams (mg) of mercury, as used for street and road lighting;
- linear fluorescent tubes, which are required by an Australian standard to contain less than 15 mg, as used in most commercial and public buildings;
- compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which will be required to contain less than 5 mg of mercury under a new Australian standard to be introduced in 2009, mostly used in homes; and
- some neon tubes, as used in signs.
Waste disposal and handling is primarily a state and local government responsibility in Australia. Landfill disposal of large amounts of mercury-containing lamps - such as those generated by businesses, institutions, or councils - is forbidden in some states. Please check with your local authority to determine what conditions apply where you live.
As an alternative to landfill disposal, mercury-containing lamps can be taken to specialty recyclers who are able to safely recover not only the mercury, but also the glass, phosphor and aluminium contained in the lamps. The recovered mercury is commonly sold to the dental industry, where it is used in amalgam for fillings. Most lamp recyclers will collect large quantities of lamps from capital cities and selected regional areas for transport to a mercury-recycling facility. CFLs can also be posted to recyclers in special purpose containers, though these are currently only available for large quantities. CMA Ecocycle and Chemsal offer mercury recycling services. Visit the following websites for further information and to find out if there is a service available near you:
- CMA Ecocycle or phone +61 3 9308 9415
- Chemsal
Several states have household chemical collection programs and/or drop-off points that accept CFLs and fluorescent tubes for recycling. Other states are considering introducing similar schemes. Please check with your state environment agency and/or local authority to determine if there is a collection point near you and the types and quantities of lamps accepted for recycling. The following state department websites may be of assistance.
Australian Capital Territory
Department of Territory and Municipal Services
www.tams.act.gov.au
Phone 13 2281
New South Wales
Department of Environment and Climate Change
www.environment.nsw.gov.au
Phone 131 555
Northern Territory
Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport
www.nt.gov.au/nreta
Phone (08) 8999 5511
Queensland
Environment Protection Agency
www.epa.qld.gov.au
Phone 1300 130 372
South Australia
Zero Waste SA
www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au
Phone (08) 8204 2051
Tasmania
Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts
www.environment.tas.gov.au
Phone (03) 6233 6518
Victoria
Sustainability Victoria
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
Phone 1300 363 744
Western Australia
Zero Waste WA
www.zerowastewa.com.au
Phone (08) 6467 5011
You may also contact Planet Ark's Recycling Near You Hotline on 1300 733 712 or visit their website at www.recyclingnearyou.com.au to find out where you can recycle CFLs and other mercury-containing lamps in your local area.
More information on mercury lamps, including safe clean-up guidelines for broken lamps is available at: www.environment.gov.au/lighting
Contacts
National Packaging Covenant
Level 6,
457 St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 3004
Email: npc@packagingcovenant.
org.au
Phone: (03) 9861 2322
Fax: (03) 9861 2330
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