Business Takeback Programs

Takeback programs retrieve mercury-containing products from consumers and ensure that the mercury is isolated, properly recycled and is kept out of the environment where can pose health risks to humans and the environment. Takeback programs are sponsored by manufacturers and/or retailers of mercury-containing products. Some programs are partnerships between the manufacturers, retailers, local governments and trade associations.

King County Take it Back Network
King County's Take it Back Network is a partnership among retailers, repair shops, charitable organizations, recyclers and government agencies that provides consumers with safe and convenient recycling options for products that contain hazardous components. The network accepts fluorescent bulbs and tubes from residents and businesses for a fee.

Lowes

Lowes will accept compact fluorescent ights (CFLs) for recycling in 1,700 US stores. Their permanent recycling centers offer a free, convenient and easy way for customers to recycle rechargeable batteries, cell phones, CFLs and plastic shopping bags. The recycling bins can be found near the entrance of Lowe's stores across the U.S. See the press release for more information.

Customers can give expired and unbroken CFL bulbs to a store clerk behind the returns desk. The bulbs will be managed by an environmental management company which will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling. See the press release (PDF file, 32KB) for more information.

Customers can place expired CFLs in one of the plastic bags provided, seal the bag and deposit it into the display. Each store monitors the unit and once full, sends the expired CFLs to be recycled by Fluorescent Lamp Recyclers Inc. See the press release for more information.

The MiniPak Recycling Kit costs $15 each and includes shipping and handling. Each box can fit 12 small or 8 medium sized CFLs. Once the box is full, consumers can mail the package to the company by taking their box to any US post office or by leaving it outside for their mail carrier. See the step-by-step flyer(PDF file, 302KB) for more details.

The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), accepts all brands of used, wall-mounted mercury-switch thermostats from homeowners through a partnership with household hazardous waste collection facilities. Homeowners can bring their mercury-containing thermostats to participating household hazardous waste (HHW) collection facilities.

The HHW facilities pay a one time $25 fee for the collection bin which comes with postage-paid mailing labels. The facility ships the container to Honeywell's recycling facility in Minnesota and the bins are shipped back to the facility. Recycling costs are covered by the manufacturers. See the 2007 the press release for more information.

TRC, a not-for-profit corporation coordinated through the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), facilitates the collection and recycling of all brands of used, wall-mounted mercury-switch thermostats. Thermostat manufacturers Honeywell International, General Electric, Nordyne, White Rogers, and Emerson Electric fund the TRC.

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Other Business Programs

Below NWPSC lists programs that raise awareness about the hazards of mercury in household products and how to properly dispose of mercury-containing products. These programs supply information to consumers about the problems associated with the product, so consumers can make responsible purchasing and disposal decisions.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has developed a web site to provide background information on mercury-containing lamps which are classified as universal waste.

The web site provides background information on this waste stream, outlines state and federal regulations, and provide the names of recyclers across the country. Visit the web site at http://www.lamprecycle.org/.

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