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:Who is currently responsible for ensuring the safe recycling of the mercury contained in low-energy light bulbs.

Answer: The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (WEEE) established a collection network allowing the final holders of low-energy light bulbs—referred to in the legislation as ““compact fluorescent lamps””—to return them and other electrical equipment free of charge to designated collection facilities (generally civic amenity sites for householders, with other facilities for business to business waste) at end of life. Producer compliance schemes, (acting on behalf of those that originally placed the product on the market), must collect deposited bulbs from these facilities and ensure that they are treated and recycled to the treatment standards laid down in the regulations and guidance documents.

Secondary information