Consultation: environmentally sound management of end-of-life lamps containing mercury

Proposed Code of Practice for the Environmentally Sound Management of End-of-life Lamps Containing Mercury

Consultation period completed

As part of the Government of Canada’s approach to reducing mercury emissions to the environment, Environment and Climate Change Canada has developed a proposed Code of Practice for the Environmentally Sound Management of End-of-life Lamps Containing Mercury. The proposed Code of Practice is a voluntary tool developed to complement provincial, territorial, municipal and others’ initiatives, and to promote best practices for managing end-of-life mercury-containing lamps (e.g., compact fluorescent light bulbs). It also includes information on diversion and end-of-life management options for northern and remote areas where access to recycling and disposal facilities is limited.

Stakeholders are invited to provide written comments on the proposed Code of Practice by June 6, 2016, to the address below. Environment and Climate Change Canada will consider all comments received when finalizing the Code of Practice.

Waste Reduction and Management Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Email: ec.dechetsdemercure-mercurywastes.ec@canada.ca

Please type “Proposed Code of Practice for Mercury-containing Lamps” in the subject line of your message.

Response to Comments on the Proposed Code of Practice for the Environmentally Sound Management of End-of-life Lamps Containing Mercury

During the comment period, written comments on the proposed Code of Practice were received from a variety of stakeholders including members of industry and non-governmental organizations. All comments have been considered in finalizing the Code of Practice.

The main comments were: suggestions for technical or editorial changes to certain sections; concern that a voluntary measure will not ensure environmentally sound management of mercury-containing lamps; concern about current practices at lamp collection sites; questions about worker exposure, training and safety; and support for a national approach or the Private Members’ Bill C-238.

Key changes to the draft code of practice

Environment Canada and Climate Change Canada has accepted the majority of the comments received resulting in a number of modifications reflected in the final Code of Practice.

• For clarity, a number of changes were made to subsection 4.1 (Collection Mechanisms) to provide more information on retail collection stations, and subsection 4.4. (Handling, Collection, Packaging and Storage) to describe how used lamps are to be deposited into collection containers or receptacles.
• A reference to the requirements of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations was added to section 4.4 to provide additional information.
• Section 5 (Materials Management and Emergency Response Plans) was amended to clarify that the scope and extent of materials management and/or emergency response plans would depend on the activities of the site, facility or operations, the volumes of lamps being handled or managed, and the applicable federal, provincial, territorial and municipal regulations and requirements.
• A bullet in the table under section 6 (Tracking and Inventory Systems) was amended to acknowledge the variability in tracking and inventory systems for facilities.
• A bullet in the table of section 8 (Processing) was amended to clarify that provincial and territorial governments may require a processor to have insurance for environmental impairment and liability.
• A new section was added to provide information and best practices for promoting public awareness and participation.

Proposed Elements for a Code of Practice for the Environmentally Sound Management of End-of-life Mercury-containing Lamps and Targeted Guidance for the North

Consultation period completed

As part of the Government of Canada’s approach to reducing mercury emissions to the environment, Environment Canada is developing a code of practice to provide technical guidance for the environmentally sound management of mercury-containing lamps at end of life, and targeted guidance for remote and northern communities on options for diversion and management of spent lamps.

The code of practice and targeted guidance will be developed in consultation with provinces, territories, industry and other stakeholders. Environment Canada has developed a discussion paper (PDF - 90 KB) to seek stakeholder comment and input. Stakeholders are invited to provide written comments on the discussion document by November 28, 2014, to the address below.

Environment Canada will consider all comments and input received when drafting the proposed code of practice and targeted guidance for remote areas and the North. The proposed code of practice and targeted guidance will be published for public comment.

Waste Reduction and Management Division
Environment Canada
Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Fax: 819-938-4553
Email: ec.dechetsdemercure-mercurywastes.ec@canada.ca

Please type “Consultation on proposed code of practice for mercury-containing lamps” in the subject line of your message.