LightRecycle is the new BC Fluorescent Lights Recycling program, brought to you by Product Care.  As of July 1, 2010, BC residents are able to drop off their burnt-out household fluorescent lights and tubes at LightRecycle drop-off locations across BC. 

BC is a leader in product stewardship programs (also called "Extended Producer Responsibility" or EPR) where those who make the product, sell the product and buy the product pay for "end-of-life" management - rather than the cost of management being paid by all taxpayers.

Recycling your used fluorescents is easy.  Refer to the Find a Depot page or call 1-800-667-4321 to find the LightRecycle drop-off location nearest you.  Each LightRecycle location will have a box where you can drop off your burnt-out fluorescent lights and tubes, free of charge. 

Remember to handle fluorescent lights carefully.  Do not break or puncture them.   

The BC Recycling Regulation mandates industry to have a recycling  program. Industry develops and manages the program. Government approves and oversees the program. The eco-fees assessed on products are remitted to the program and not to government.

Residential use fluorescent tube lights and compact fluorescents (“CFLs”) are accepted by the program. Fluorescent lights and tubes can be identified by the marking for mercury (Hg) on the base of the bulb.
 

• Compact fluorescents (or “CFLs”) are energy-efficient lights commonly recognized by their spiral or twist shape; however, but they can also be shaped as loops, or  covered by a bulb-shaped glass cover.
• Fluorescent tubes come in various lengths (4 foot is the most common) and are also identified by their diameter, known as T12s, T8s and T5s. Most are straight but they can be curved or shaped. 

The maximum limit for return at one time is 16 compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or fluorescent tubes or a combination of types. If you have more than 16 units that were used in a residential setting to recycle at one time, please contact Product Care Association.

For disposal options for lights that are not accepted in the program, call the Recycling Hotline at 604.732.9253 in the Lower Mainland and 1.800.667.4321 in the rest of BC.

Before this program existed, many fluorescent lights ended up in the landfill.  Some retailers and municipalities have been accepting these products; however, recycling drop-off locations were not wide-spread across the province. 

The program intends to have a province wide collection system and efforts to fill existing collection gaps are ongoing. In the meantime, check with RCBC to see if there are alternative options or hold on to them until a collection site is established in or near your community.

Yes, but only a very small amount. As there is no safe level of exposure to mercury, care must to taken to ensure that materials are handled properly. The mercury from a compact fluorescent light or fluorescent tube is only released if the bulb is broken.

• Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, reducing your electricity bill. Lighting can account for up to 10% of the energy used in a home and every bit helps!
• CFLs and fluorescent tubes benefit the environment by reducing solid waste since they last longer than incandescent bulbs and can now be recycled.
• CFLs help to achieve the BC Energy Plan goal of meeting 50% of new energy needs through energy efficiency and conservation in the province.

Follow these few simple steps to keep mercury out the environment and to safely handle, store and transport compact fluorescent lights (CLFs) and fluorescent tubes:

• Recycle all your CFLs and fluorescent tubes to ensure mercury is not placed in landfills
• Remove and install the CFL only by handling the base of the bulb to prevent any unnecessary pressure on the glass that could cause it to break.
• Store and transport CFLs and fluorescent lamps in containers such as original packaging that help prevent bulbs from breaking.

• When you buy CFLs or fluorescent tubes, you may see an eco-fee on your receipt, passed on to you by the product producers. This is similar to paint, tires and electronics. The eco-fee funds the recycling program so there is no charge when you drop off your used bulbs and tubes.
• This is not a tax and none of the money goes to the government.  The money collected helps to fund the program to ensure that potentially hazardous products are diverted from landfills and processed for reuse or recycling. 
• Producer’s have the option to either absorb the cost internally or pass the fees down the line to their retail customers. 
• Retailers are also given the choice whether to show this fee on consumer receipts.  In some stores you may see the words eco-fee, environmental handling fee, or recycling fee on your receipt. 

LightRecycle is an “industry product stewardship” program required by BC’s Recycling Regulation.  BC now has product stewardship programs for paint, tires and electronics and many other products.  Manufacturers and distributors of fluorescent lights sold in BC pay an “eco fee” to fund the program for every light sold.  The eco-fee may or may not appear on the retail receipt when you buy CFLs or fluorescent tubes. View Fees.

Manufacturers should be held responsible because they have the greatest control over aspects of the products design and the greatest ability to reduce negative environmental implications. 

After bulbs are returned, they will be transported to a processing plant. The processor will crush the light bulbs under controlled conditions and the components will be separated. The glass and metal will be recycled and the mercury-phosphor material will be sent for retorting (a heating process that results in usable mercury). CFL ballasts may include plastic and ceramics and the destination for these materials may vary by processor. The program will strive to reach the target of recycling 100% of the material recovered.

According to Canada Health, "there is no risk to your health when the lamps are unbroken. Even when a CFL is broken, there is a very low risk to your health, unless you mishandle it or store it carelessly."  Refer to Health Canada's website for more information on health concerns associated with fluorescents and proper cleanup procedures to minimize exposure to mercury. 

If you do break a fluorescent light bulb, Health Canada recommends the following cleanup procedures:

• Ventilate the room for at least 15 minutes before you start clean up, removing people and pets from the room.
• Wear disposable gloves, if possible to avoid direct contact with mercury and to prevent cuts.
• Sweep or wipe up the glass fragments and powder using two pieces of stiff paper or cardboard.
• Use sticky tape to pick up more particles and then wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up tiny pieces of glass or fine particles.
• If the bulb breaks on a rug or carpet, use sticky tape (such as duct tape) to pick up small pieces and powder. Vacuuming should be avoided as it spreads mercury through the air. If vacuuming is necessary, remove the vacuum bag or empty and wipe the canister with paper towel after the area is cleaned.
• Place the broken glass and clean-up materials in a glass container with a tight fitting lid or two sealed plastic bags to further minimize the release of mercury vapour.
• Bring the sealed glass container or sealed plastic bags to a collection site.

For more detailed cleanup procedures, please visit Health Canada's website at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/cfl-afc-eng.php or the U.S EPA website at: www.energystar.gov/ia/products/lighting/cfls/downloads/CFL_Cleanup_and_Disposal.pdf
 

LightRecycle is managed by the Product Care Association, the industry-sponsored non-profit agency that manages product stewardship programs in BC for paint, flammable liquids, pesticides and gasoline, as well as programs in other provinces.  For more information on the LightRecycle program:

1-800-667-4321

lights@productcare.org

Place the broken item in a sealed plastic bag or a sealed glass container and take it to a nearby LightRecycle depot. For clean-up instructions, visit Health Canada website or the U.S. EPA website.