STORY SUMMARY>>>
It wasn’t as if a light bulb blinked above Hawaii Rep. Ken Ito’s head. Instead, a friend simply told him about the problem posed by fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs – mercury dust.
“Every year so many millions come to Hawaii and we have no way to address the mercury content,” the Windward Oahu democrat told Khon2.
Ito’s solution is to ban all fluorescents from entering state landfills.
So far the reception to Ito’s measure has been positive. The bill (HB 2922) has passed four committees and is supported by the Hawaii chapter of the Sierra Club.
In addition to posing a hazard to Hawaii’s water supply, mercury dust found in fluorescents can also become airborne, leading to severe health issues in humans.
“Some people have brain damage, intestinal bleeding (and) it can shut down kidneys,” said Ito.
Waste Management Inc., the operators of Waimanalo Gulch Landfill in Leeward Oahu are watching Ito’s bill closely and support its intent. The measure would require all landfills to post signs warning customers that fluorescents are prohibited while also mailing out periodic news letters.
WMI Community Affairs Manager Russell Nanod says commercial clients are already banned from dumping fluorescents into landfills under EPA rules - however the rules don’t apply to homeowners.
Nanod says even if Ito’s bill were to become law, the effort to educate residents about throwing fluorescent light bulbs into the trash would need to continue.
“I think there's always going to be that challenge of how do you implement this with everybody throughout the state of Hawaii,” he said.
Currently there is no recycling facility for fluorescents in the entire state. National hardware chain Home Depot has a program in place that accepts the bulbs at no cost to customers.
However anyone who wants to properly rid themselves of the energy saving bulbs directly for their homes must ship them to the mainland in recycling kits that typically costs $17.00 for a box that holds thirteen fluorescents.
On Thursday Ito’s bill passed two more committee votes, but a key amendment was added. Lawmakers inserted language that all retailers who sell fluorescent bulbs must accept them back from consumers.
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