Fluorescent lamp recycling initiatives in the United States and a recycling proposal based on extended producer responsibility and product stewardship concepts.
This paper presents an overview of mercury-containing lamp (MCL) recycling initiatives currently available in the world, especially in the United States. The majority of MCLs contain mercury which is a neurotoxin, a persistent pollutant in the environment, and can bioaccumulate in the food chain. Although there are some recycling options in the United States, collection rates are still at 23% of all potential used MCLs. This shows that citizens are either indifferent to or unaware of the recycling alternatives. On the other hand, MCL recycling seems not to be a cost-effective process and, for this reason, in the United States, take-back programmes are still sponsored only by consumers or municipalities. A few retailers have recently initiated limited take-back alternatives and manufacturers have not yet supported financially any consistent recycling alternative in the country. Considering successful experiences, this paper makes a suggestion for an MCL recycling system based on the concepts of extended producer responsibility and product stewardship. A manufacturer-importer advance recycling fee is proposed to finance the collection and recycling system while a MCL-energy recycling fee supported by the energy sector creates a lamp refund process. 'PRO Lamp', a producer responsibility organization, will manage the entire system through a widespread public-private agreement.
Silveira
Geraldo Tr
GT
Department of Civil, Architectural, Agricultural, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, USA. tadeugeraldo@yahoo.com
Chang
Shoou-Yuh
SY
D059029:Electronic Waste; D006794:Household Articles; D008628:Mercury; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships; D059027:Recycling / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States; D018505:Waste Management / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards
D008628:Mercury