Governor Peter Shumlin has signed a bill calling on manufacturers of light bulbs containing mercury to set up and pay for a recycling program for the bulbs.
Vermont joined Maine and Washington to pass what’s called a producer responsibility law for mercury-containing products.
Lamps containing mercury, including compact fluorescent bulbs, are praised for saving energy. But mercury is a known nerve poison and is a cause of concern when released into the environment.
The law calls for producers to provide for the collection and recycling of the bulbs and other products containing mercury, including some thermostats and auto switches.