PDFWAC 173-910-010

Purpose.

(1) Washington state law requires establishment of a convenient and environmentally sound product stewardship program for mercury-containing lights throughout Washington state by January 1, 2013. Every producer of mercury-containing lights sold in or into Washington state for sale at retail must participate in the product stewardship program. Such a system is essential to collect spent mercury lighting from covered entities which, when improperly disposed, releases mercury that threatens human health and the environment.
(2) This chapter implements Mercury-containing lightsProper disposal, chapter 70.275 RCW.
(3) Washington state law established a statewide goal of recycling all end-of-life mercury-containing lights by 2020 through expanded public education, a uniform statewide requirement to recycle all mercury-containing lights, and the development of a comprehensive, safe, and convenient collection system that includes use of residential curbside collection programs, mail-back containers, increased support for household hazardous waste facilities, and a network of additional collection locations.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.275.040, 70.275.110, 70.275.140. WSR 16-17-146 (Order 15-04), § 173-910-010, filed 8/24/16, effective 9/24/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.275 RCW. WSR 12-23-049 (Order 11-09), § 173-910-010, filed 11/16/12, effective 12/17/12.]