Fluorescent Lamps and the BC Recycling Regulation

The British Columbia Recycling regulation requires all "producers" of fluorescent lamps and other designated products, to be in compliance with the BC Recycling Regulation. A producer must be in compliance with the BC Recycling Regulation "... in order to sell, offer for sale or distribute the product in British Columbia." The regulation applies to residential sales as of July 1, 2010 and to all sales (including commercial, industrial and institutional) as of July 1, 2012.

Program Expansion

The LightRecycle program will expand to all lamps, ballasts and fixtures from residential, commerical and industrial sectors starting July 1, 2012.  See the Program Expansion page.

Membership in the current LightRecycle Program

Product Care’s BC Fluorescent Lamps Stewardship Program (for residential use lamps sales) has been approved by the BC Ministry of Environment and began on July 1, 2010. Membership in the Product Care program is open to all Producers. The program is funded by fees paid to the program by Producers, based on quantity of program products sold in BC. To join the Product Care Lamps program contact Daniela Damoc at daniela@productcare.org, or 604 592 2972 x 216.

What products are included in the Program?

All fluorescent lamps sold for use in residential buildings are included. This includes compact fluorescent bulbs ("CFL"s) and fluorescent tubes. The products may be sold to a householder by a retailer or distributor or may be installed directly in a home by a builder or contractor. The LightRecycle program will expand to include all lamps, ballasts and fixtures from the residential, commercial and industrial sectors starting July 1, 2012. See the Program Expansion page.

Who is the "Producer"?

The "Producer" of a designated product has the obligation to comply with the Recycling Regulation. The BC MoE Recycling Regulation Guide states that:

"The product producer is principally the first-seller of the product in the province. In practice the producer is typically the product manufacturer, distributor or brand-owner. The producer could also be an importer, broker or retailer who sells the product directly to a consumer, including those whose sales are transacted by catalogue or over the Internet. The definition of producer is provided in section 1 of the Regulation."

The Recycling Regulation defines "Producer" as:

(i) a person who manufactures the product and sells, offers for sale or distributes the product in British Columbia under the manufacturer's own brand,

(ii) if subparagraph (i) does not apply, a person who is not the manufacturer of the product but is the owner or licensee of a trademark under which a product is sold or distributed in British Columbia, whether or not the trademark is registered, or

(iii) if subparagraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply, a person who imports the product into British Columbia for sale, distribution or use in a commercial enterprise.

How do I know if my company or another should report on a sale?

In some cases, the obligated Producer does not know the final province of sale for products shipped to its retail customer, or a Producer may distribute its own brands and other brands as well. Upon receipt of satisfactory information the Program will permit a Producer’s supplier or customer to join the program and report sales and pay fees. For more information contact Product Care.

What are the fees and how are they reported?

• View Fees

Members file reports to Product Care on the quantity of products sold (in units) and remit "eco-fees" to the program. The eco-fee rates vary according to the type or length of the lamp. The link above lists the fee rates.

Reporting is completed on a monthly basis using an online reporting system. Reports and fee remittances are due by the end of the month following the reporting period (e.g. sales in July 2010 must be reported and received by the Program before the end of August). Fees payable by members to the program are subject to HST.

More information on Fluorescent Lamp Eco–fees

It is the obligation of the Producer to report and pay the fees to the Program. It is the decision of the Producer how to manage this cost, whether to include it in the Product price, or to show it as a separate charge. In either case the fee is part of the purchase price and is subject to HST (note that in BC, GST and PST are being combined as HST effective July 1, 2010). The fee is not a tax and should not be referred to as such.

For more information on the Product Care BC Fluorescent Lights Program contact Daniela Damoc at daniela@productcare.org, or 604 592 2972 x 216