Bill urges recycling energy-saving bulbs

AUGUSTA – A legislative committee endorsed a bill Tuesday that directs state officials to expand recycling opportunities for compact fluorescent bulbs and increase public education campaigns about the need to recycle the popular energy-saving bulbs.

LD 1234, as amended by the committee, directs the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Public Utilities Commission to develop a new program to support and expand recycling of compact fluorescent bulbs.

Compact fluorescent bulbs have become increasingly popular in Maine in recent years thanks in part to a state refund program for consumers. The bulbs, which often have a swirled shape, use up to two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last much longer.

But because the bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury – a naturally occurring heavy metal that is toxic – state law requires that the bulbs be recycled as “universal waste.” Most Maine towns with recycling programs accept fluorescent bulbs at drop-off locations or on special household hazardous waste collection days.

The legislative resolve endorsed by the Natural Resources Committee also directs the agencies to educate consumers about mercury in the bulbs and recycling options as well as funding options for recycling.

Rep. Elaine Makas’ original version of LD 1234 would have required manufacturers to clearly label the light bulbs as containing mercury. But Makas said Tuesday that she since has learned that manufacturers already are labeling the bulb packages.

DEP officials, who proposed the resolve’s language, recently acknowledged that they need to increase public education after a Prospect woman raised concerns about safe disposal of broken bulbs.

The woman, Brandy Bridges, said she was referred to an environmental cleanup company that told her it would cost several thousand dollars to clean up a room where a bulb shattered. The exact spot where the bulb broke had airborne mercury levels above levels considered safe for long-term exposure. Air tests a few feet above and beside the spot of the broken bulb were within safe levels.

DEP officials have since said that consumers can safely clean up broken bulbs themselves by following careful procedures, including wearing protective gloves. The small amounts of mercury released from a broken bulb would not pose health risks, officials said.

They also said the bulbs avoid far more mercury being pumped into the atmosphere from coal-fired power plants than they would release if not properly recycled.