(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 lights—Proper 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.