Funding for LightRecycle Washington comes from an environmental handling charge (EHC) that is added to the purchase price of every mercury-containing light that is sold at retail in Washington State. The EHC is used by PCA Product Stewardship Inc., a non-profit industry association, to cover program costs, including managing the transportation and recycling of collected products and the administration and promotion of the program. The EHC is not a government tax nor is it remitted to the government.
According to the law, the EHC must be applied to all mercury-containing lights sold at retail in or into Washington State as of January 1, 2015. Sales that are conducted online or through the internet are considered sold at retail.