Group calls for proper disposal of busted lamps with mercury

ALOCAL waste and pollution watchdog on Sunday called for the proper disposal of mercury-containing lamp wastes. The call was issued by the group to highlight January as “Zero Waste Month.”

According to the Ecowaste Coalition, better enforcement of existing regulations aimed at protecting citizens including waste workers against harmful exposure from spent mercury-containing lamps is needed, noting that there are, in fact existing laws against the indiscriminate dumping or disposal of such hazardous wastes, particularly in Quezon City.

The group was referring to Quezon City (QC) Ordinance 1483 (series of 2005) and QC Ordinance 2350 (series of 2014).

The group said they observed several broken fluorescent lamps last Friday, January 20, at a sidewalk along Aurora Boulevard near corner Doña Hemady Street.

“There is an apparent need to remind the public about the provisions of these two important ordinances in relation to the disposal of busted lamps containing mercury,” Aileen Lucero, the group’s National Coordinator, was quoted in a statement as saying. “Improved enforcement of current regulations will prevent the breakage of such lamps and the vaporization of their mercury content, which can endanger human health.”

Eliminate exposure

QC Ordinance 1483 (series of 2005), approved by then-mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on March 11, 2005, declares busted mercury-containing lamps as “hazardous wastes,” and obligates “all residents to segregate spent fluorescent light bulbs from common garbage so as to eliminate exposure from mercury.”

On the other hand, QC Ordinance 2350 (series of 2014), approved by former Mayor Herbert Bautista on November 4, 2014, provides for the adoption of the QC Environment Code, which includes provisions on how busted fluorescent lamps are to be managed.