Mercury Lamp Recycling Information for Canadians

Summary of Canadian Policies and Regulations on Mercury-Containing Lamps

A summary of policies and regulations concerning mercury-containing lamps is provided in this fact sheet for the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, where most of the recent activity on lamp recycling has been occurring. For developments across the country and prior to 2007, the reader could consult “Case Study: Standards for Mercury-Containing Products” (PDF, 102 kb) or contact the provinces/territories directly.

British Columbia

In December 2009, the Electronic and Electrical Product Category (Schedule 3) in the Recycling Regulation was amended. The amendments moved responsibility for the end-of-life management of many electronic and electrical products, including lamps, to the manufacturers and distributors of those products. The lamp industry is represented by the Electrical Equipment Manufacturers Association of Canada (EEMAC), which engaged the Product Care Association to prepare its stewardship plan. In July 2010, lamp manufacturers became responsible for the collection and recycling of mercury-containing lamps from residential sources. The B.C. plan is posted on the Product Care web site. A program for the industrial, commercial and institutional sector is expected to be launched in 2012. 

Manitoba

In February 2010, Manitoba introduced the “Household Hazardous Material and Prescribed Material Stewardship Regulation” (PDF, 160 kb) under The Waste Reduction and Prevention Act. The regulation identifies fluorescent lighting as a “designated material.”  In response, Product Care submitted a draft stewardship plan to the Province on behalf of EEMAC and other clients in June 2010. Section 7 of the plan covers “Fluorescent Lighting Tubes and Compact Fluorescent Lights.” (PDF, 352 kb)

The Green Manitoba web site provides a concise summary of that province’s approach to extended producer responsibility.

Ontario

In 2007, amendments were made to Regulation 347 (General – Waste Management) of the Environmental Protection Act to encourage the recycling of mercury-containing products such as fluorescent lamps. In the amendment, “common mercury wastes,” which include mercury-containing lamps, and “common mercury waste recovery facility” were defined. The amendments removed previous restrictions related to the transport of common mercury wastes such that the Regulation now permits anyone to transport common mercury wastes to a common mercury waste recovery facility.

The disposal of hazardous waste in Ontario is regulated under the Waste Diversion Act. The Waste Diversion Ontario web site provides a summary of the Act. Mercury-containing lamps are designated under Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) under the Act.  Implementation of the stewardship program for designated products is to occur in multiple phases with fluorescent lighting identified as a Phase 2 item. In 2010, as reported on the Ontario Ministry of the Environment web site, the provincial government eliminated the “eco-fees” that were introduced for Phase 2 items, including mercury-containing lamps. Regardless, “Orange Drop locations and municipal collection depots will continue to accept these household hazardous materials for proper disposal” (quoted from the MOE web site). For more information about the “Orange Drop” program, which is operated by Stewardship Ontario, go to its web site.

Quebec

On June 29, 2011, following a public consultation period of 60 days and discussions with stakeholders, the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (MDDEP) published its “Regulation respecting the Recovery and Reclamation of Products by Enterprises.” The Regulation came into effect on July 14, 2011. It requires companies (brand owners and first importers) selling designated products into the Quebec market to develop "recovery and reclamation" programs for those products. Within one year of enactment, three designated products – mercury lamps, electronics, and batteries (rechargeable and non-rechargeable) – must be collected at the end of their useful life by the companies that sell them. Programs must meet prescribed recovery targets by 2015 and are subject to penalties if those targets are not met. The Regulation also calls for internalization of program-related costs. The previously existing paint and paint containers, as well as the used oils, oil containers and oil filters regulations are replaced by this new Regulation.

In March 2011, Quebec announced its new Waste Management Policy and 2011-2015 Action Plan (with 10 broad “residual materials management” strategies and 40 specific actions). Among its many actions are: (1) disposal bans on paper/cardboard by 2013, wood by 2014, and all organic material by 2020; (2)  implementation of the new Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation and the designation of two new products every two years; (3) full compensation by industry for municipal recycling programs by 2013; and (4) various measures to increase recovery and reclamation performance in the IC&I and C&D sectors. Further information about the Policy and the Plan can be found at the MDDEP web site.