Free household fluorescent light recycling

A free household drop-off service for fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) has been announced by the ACT Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, John Hargreaves.

"ACT residents will be able to drop off their fluorescent tubes and CFLs at both the Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres. This initiative comes following requests for a solution to the disposal of energy saving lights," said Hargreaves.

"Fluorescent lights contain small amounts of mercury which can be released as a vapour if the glass is broken. The safest way to dispose of lights that contain mercury is to have them recycled to safely recover and recycle the mercury, glass, phosphor and aluminium from lamps."

The collected lighting will be sent to a specialist recycler of mercury-containing wastes in Victoria.

"This is a free drop-off service for domestic users. It is not proposed to restrict the number of tubes or CFLs that can be deposited per visit, however, Resource Management Centre staff will use their discretion when dealing with customers with large numbers of tubes or globes," said Hargreaves.

This service is not for commercial operators, who will need to continue to make their own arrangements.