OSRAM SYLVANIA - NEWMOA Mercury Legislation

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NEWMOA Mercury Legislation

NEWMOA Model Mercury Legislation

Model Mercury Legislation in the Northeast Lighting Elements

The Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan interstate association that has a membership composed of the hazardous waste, solid waste, waste site cleanup and pollution prevention program directors for the environmental agencies in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

NEWMOA was established by the Governors of the New England states as an official regional organization to coordinate interstate hazardous and solid waste, and pollution prevention activities and support state waste programs, and was formally recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1986.

NEWMOA has developed model legislation that focuses on promoting reductions and elimination of mercury-containing products from the waste stream. At least some portions of the model legislation have been introduced in all of the New England States in 2001. For current status of state adoption, view the NEWMOA website. Some highlights include:

Procurement language, calling for State purchase of “products with lowest mercury for the required performance.” (RI, VT)
Phase-outs and bans of mercury-containing products, with some exempted (RI, CT)
Reporting of mercury content to a central database (RI, VT)
Product and package labeling (VT, CT, NY, RI)
Solid waste bans (CT, ME, NH, VT, RI, NY)

Intended Outcomes

NEWMOA strives to reduce “exposure” to mercury-containing products and influence mercury content reduction, keep track of what products contain how much mercury, encourage recycling and reduce mercury emissions.

Industry Impacts

Packaging and etching changes very costly to lamp manufacturers
Dramatic increase in hits on www.lamprecycle.org
Manufacturers collectively track mercury use, finding we have a great story to tell
Industry challenged to connect energy & environment when discussing energy-efficient mercury-containing lamps (“use a little, save a lot…”)

Market/User Impacts

Potential for mixed messages (mercury label with an “ECO friendly” product)
Potential for consumer phobia, concluding that energy-efficient is dangerous
More clarity in what to do with “spent” lamps

NEWMOA