Safe Disposal of CFL

Safe Disposal of CFL
As per a study of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) titled ‘Master plan study for collection, recycling and safe disposal of end-of-life mercury bearing lamps and associated electronics’ supported by Electric Lamp and Component Manufacturers’ Association of India (ELCOMA), the mercury released into the environment, from fluorescent lamp sector has been estimated at around 8.8 tonnes considering entire lot of Fluorescent Lamps (FLs); Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Fluorescent Tube lights (FTLs) and Metal Halides etc. in the year 2009.. This was stated by Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

She further stated that the Ministry of Environment and Forests had constituted a Task Force to evolve a policy on “Environmentally Sound Management of mercury in Fluorescent Lamps”. A Technical Committee, constituted by this Task Force, had prepared “Guidelines for Environmentally Sound Mercury Management in Fluorescent Lamps Sector”. These guidelines prescribe the best practices at various levels, such as at manufacturer’s level and include aspects relating to mercury consumption, process technology, raw mercury distillation, on-site storage, treatment, recycling, disposal of mercury bearing wastes and mercury spill management. The best practices at consumer’s level include handling of used/broken lamps, consumer awareness pertaining to collection, transport, treatment and disposal of used fluorescent lamps.

The Minister further stated that Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have written to all the State Governments and Union Territories to encourage establishment of recycling units so that the fused CFLs and FTLs are properly collected and the mercury is recovered and recycled scientifically and safely.

RM/RS- USQ5341 - LS
(Release ID :95233)