Chapter 173-910 WAC – Mercury-containing Lights Product Stewardship Program Rulemaking
Agency
Ecology, Department of
Title of action
Chapter 173-910 WAC – Mercury-containing Lights Product Stewardship Program Rulemaking
Date significant agency action was initiated
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Category
Significant legislative rules
Brief description of significant agency actions for which the agency is initiating an environmental justice assessment.
This rulemaking updates Chapter 173-910 WAC to improve response plans, worker safety, and outreach to diverse communities for the Mercury-Containing Lights Product Stewardship Program. This effort will align the rule with legislative changes made to the law in 2024. This statewide program ensures safe, convenient, and environmentally responsible collection, transportation, and recycling of lights that contain mercury, a hazardous substance. By preventing mercury release into the environment, the program protects the environment and reduces health risks to Washington residents. Updates to the rule will require stewardship plans to include spill/release response plans and worker safety plans for collection sites, as well as targeted outreach and education materials that are conceptually, linguistically, and culturally appropriate for diverse populations, developed in meaningful consultation with affected communities.
Starting on January 1, 2029, a ban on the sale of most mercury-containing lights goes into effect. However, mercury-containing lights already in circulation still pose a risk, making it essential to maintain a robust product stewardship program through safe disposal and recycling options. The program is scheduled to conclude by January 1, 2035. However, the Washington State Department of Ecology may end the program earlier if it determines that the continued costs of the program outweigh the benefits of continuing collection efforts.
Methods for providing public comment for agency consideration as part of the environmental justice assessment.
Ecology will implement a formal communication plan designed to engage all communities, with a focus on overburdened and vulnerable populations across Washington. The plan will prioritize meaningful engagement by leveraging existing relationships with community-based organizations and tailoring outreach efforts to meet community needs.
Ecology will provide opportunities for people from overburdened communities or vulnerable populations to provide their input during multiple listening sessions and will be actively engaged during those meetings to learn how changes to the mercury lights collection program might affect people within these communities.
There will be multiple ways to get involved in this rulemaking. People may participate in listening sessions, subscribe to the email list for this rulemaking to receive updates, submit written comments online during comment periods, participate in public meetings, email Krysta Thornton, and may visit the rulemaking webpage for more information.
Link to agency webpage where the action is posted.
Status
