The commencement of a pioneering scheme to recycle used commercial and public lighting fluorescent lamps, FluoroCycle, is a significant step toward a more sustainable future, Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett said today.

Date: Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Queensland FluoroCycle Signatories were officially recognised today at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Signatories recognised included Brisbane City Council, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Powerhouse, CDS Recycling, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, EYE Lighting Australia, Intralux Australia, Port of Brisbane, State Library of Queensland, the University of Queensland and Whatalec.

Mr Dean Ellwood, Deputy Director-General, Environmental Services representing the Hon Andrew Powell MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection presented FluoroCycle Signatories with their FluoroCycle Certificates. Mr Ellwood acknowledged the commitment of Queensland industry and highlighted the support of Brisbane City Council represented by Councillor David McLachlan.He noted that Queensland Signatories are making an ongoing commitment to recycle their waste mercury-containing lamps.

FluoroCycle is a voluntary product stewardship scheme that seeks to increase the national recycling rate of waste mercury-containing lamps.Currently 90% of lamps that contain mercury end up in landfill and it is estimated that90% of this waste is generated by commercial and public lighting.

FluoroCycle is part of the National Waste Policyand was initially funded by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Standing Council on Environment and Water. The scheme transitioned to an industry led scheme in July 2013.FluoroCycle is now fully funded and operated by Lighting Council Australia. There are currently over 230 Signatories nationally.

Lighting Council Australia

Lighting Council Australia Lighting Council Australia is the peak body representing Australia’s lighting industry. Its goal is to encourage the use of environmentally appropriate, energy efficient, quality lighting systems.

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