Written question asked by Lord Lawson of Blaby (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Jones of Birmingham (Other (affiliation)) on Wednesday, 17 October 2007.

Mercury: Light Bulbs

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they have taken to inform the public of the need for the safe recycling of the mercury contained in low-energy light bulbs.

Answer: Following the introduction of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (WEEE), local authorities are working together with the retailers of electrical and electronic equipment in their local area to ensure that householders know where they can deposit old equipment (including low-energy light bulbs) for treatment and recycling. These regulations require all distributors (retailers, mail-order companies and internet sellers) of low-energy light bulbs—referred to in the legislation as ““compact fluorescent lamps””—to provide information to consumers and other users on the requirement not to dispose of such bulbs as unsorted municipal waste; the return and collection systems available to them; their role in contributing to reuse, recovery and recycling; the potential effects on the environment and human health of any hazardous substances in this equipment; and the meaning of the wheeled bin symbol which is placed on products.

Secondary information