KITSAP – Kitsap County residents and businesses can now recycle fluorescent lights and other mercury-containing lights at no charge as part of the state’s product stewardship program called LightRecycle Washington. Washington State law makes it illegal to throw away mercury-containing lights in the garbage as mercury accumulates in the environment and can be harmful to human health.
LightRecycle Washington collection sites will accept mercury-containing lights including traditional fluorescent tubes (straight, curved and circular tubes), compact fluorescent lights, and high intensity discharge lights. The program does not accept lighting fixtures, ballasts or incandescent lights. Both individuals and businesses can drop off lights for recycling at no cost, although there is a limit of 10 lights per day.
In 2014, the Washington Legislature authorized an Environmental Handling Charge of 25 cents on each mercury-containing light sold to fund the recycling program. Since 2010, it has been illegal in Washington to dispose of mercury-containing lights in the regular garbage.
“Fluorescent lights are long-lasting and energy efficient, but they contain small amounts of toxic mercury, which needs to be recycled or properly disposed of,” said Laurie Davies, manager of Ecology’s “Waste 2 Resources” program. “With the launch of LightRecycle Washington, we’re making it simpler to comply with the law and protect the environment.”
EcoLights Northwest is the recycling company that will be processing the lights collected by LightRecycle Washington. After mercury-containing lights are collected, EcoLights breaks them down and separates the components. Recyclable components, including mercury, are sent to other companies for further refining.
Light recycling locations:
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, 5551 Imperial Way, Bremerton.
• Kitsap Lumber and Hardware, 450 S. National Ave., Bremerton.
• Scott McLendon’s Hardware, 1692 SE Mile Hill Dr., Port Orchard.
• James Lumber and Ace Hardware, 19801 Viking Ave., Poulsbo.
• Bainbridge Island Ace Hardware, 635 High School Rd NE, Bainbridge Island.
• Scott McLendon’s Hardware, 51 NE State Route 300, Belfair.
Visit www.lightrecycle.org for more information or contact Kitsap County Public Works at 360-337-5777.
