HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 106 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 8, 2008 Requesting the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council to study the costs and benefits of recycling fluorescent light bulbs that contain mercury. Report. ---------- Patron-- Valentine ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

WHEREAS, compared to incandescent lamps of the same luminous flux, compact fluorescent light bulbs use less energy, have a longer rated life, can save over $30 in electricity costs over the lamp's lifetime, and save 2000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, while fluorescent light bulbs represent an energy efficient alternative, fluorescent bulbs contain mercury; and

WHEREAS, although there are no known health hazards from exposure to fluorescent lamps or bulbs that are intact, broken or improperly disposed-of fluorescent lamps or bulbs can contaminate the environment and be a threat to the human nervous system; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that over 800 million bulbs are produced each year to replace 800 million bulbs that are then disposed-of; and

WHEREAS, Virginia laws have promoted the recycling of other potentially environmentally harmful products such as used motor oil and lead batteries; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council be requested to study the costs and benefits of recycling fluorescent light bulbs that contain mercury.

In conducting its study, the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council shall examine the feasibility of establishing a statewide program to support and expand the recycling of fluorescent light bulbs containing mercury, with a focus on household recycling.  The study should determine the most effective ways to encourage and promote the environmentally sound management of fluorescent light bulbs containing mercury.  The Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council shall include in its recommendations strategies for (i) educating consumers on the benefits of proper management of a product that contains mercury and the need to recycle such bulbs; (ii) publicizing options for proper disposal; and (iii) working with the private sector to develop ways to allow the public to conveniently recycle fluorescent light bulbs.

Technical assistance shall be provided to the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council by the Department of Environmental Quality. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council for this study, upon request.

The Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2008, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2009 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.