Free mercury lighting disposal launched in Hamilton

Council has established a free service for Hamiltonians to recycle their mercury lighting, adding a further dimension to its energy efficiency initiatives.

The recycling programme will initially be run as a one-year trial. The impetus behind the programme is to encourage Hamilton households to use energy efficient mercury lighting plus a free and simple means of disposal.

Two recycling drop-off points have been established in the city where Hamilton householders can recycle their fluorescent lamps and tubes. The drop-off points are at the Environment Centre, 25 Ward Street and the Refuse Transfer Station, Lincoln Street respectively.

Sustainable Environment team leader Liz Hallsworth says that the release of mercury into the environment is a growing problem and the need for correct disposal of the compact fluorescent lamps adds to this challenge.

"It is great to see so many households opting for the energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and saving energy. The bulbs contain small amounts of mercury that enables the lamps to operate with significantly greater efficiency than the standard incandescent and halogen lamps. CFL have the greatest overall environmental life-cycle benefit despite containing mercury, however it is vital that these are carefully disposed of to avoid any breakage and subsequent escape of mercury that could pollute air and water."

More information about energy efficient lighting is available on the Ministry for the Environment website: www.mfe.govt.nz .