News Brief

Maine Fluorescent Lamp Bill Puts Manufacturers in Recycling Hot Seat

by Emily Bragonier

Maine’s Governor John Baldacci signed bill LD 973, “An Act to Provide for the Safe Collection and Recycling of Mercury-Containing Lighting,” into law in June 2009. The bill, touted as the first of its kind in the nation, requires manufacturers to create programs for the collection and recycling of household compact and linear fluorescent lamps by January 2011; recycling of commercial fluorescents—as well as waste electronic equipment and thermostats containing mercury—is already required.

The state will oversee the recycling program, with participating retailers tasked with raising consumer awareness and acting as collection centers. Futhermore, the bill establishes mercury content standards consistent with those set under the European Union’s

Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive.

Published July 30, 2009

Bragonier, E. (2009, July 30). Maine Fluorescent Lamp Bill Puts Manufacturers in Recycling Hot Seat. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/newsbrief/maine-fluorescent-lamp-bill-puts-manufacturers-recycling-hot-seat

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Volume 18, Issue 8