Given the current situation, we encourage you to reserve your recycling for when the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. Many recycling locations have temporarily closed and we expect more to follow. Social distancing is strongly encouraged, as is staying home. We will continue to follow public health recommendations during this time.

Home > Consumers > Environmental Handling Charge

Consumers

The LightRecycle Washington program began on January 1, 2015 for the collection and recycling of mercury-containing lights sold at retail.

A network of collection sites has been established throughout Washington State that includes retailers, municipal waste facilities, collection events, and residential curbside collection. Washington State residents and businesses can recycle up to 10 mercury-containing lights per day for free, by dropping them off at authorized Collection Sites throughout the State.

Recycling mercury-containing lights protects the environment and human health by reducing the release of mercury, a potent neurotoxin.

Environmental Handling Charge

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 to cover program costs, including managing the transportation and recycling of collected products and the administration and promotion of the program.

The EHC for every accepted light type is $0.95 / light

The EHC was increased from $0.50 to $0.95, effective February 1, 2018.

Packages containing multiple lights must have the $0.95 EHC added to the price for each light in the package. For example, lights sold in a 2-pack will have $1.90 added to the purchase price of the package.

The EHC is subject to retail sales tax, as it is considered to be a part of the purchase price of the lights. Manufacturers or retailers may choose to build the EHC into the product price, or display it as a separate charge to consumers at the time of sale. The EHC is not a government tax and is not remitted to the government.