SR0261 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0261 LRB096 12604 JDS 25984 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and others are encouraging Americans to switch to compact fluorescent lamps ("CFLs") to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, CFLs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within glass tubing; and

WHEREAS, Spent CFLs should be recycled rather disposed of in regular household trash to help prevent the release of mercury to the environment; and

WHEREAS, There is not a convenient and widely accessible network of facilities for the collection and recycling of CFLs at the end of their useful life; and

WHEREAS, It is difficult for households and consumers to find specific information on the mercury content of CFLs and options for recycling the spent lamps; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to work with lamp manufacturers, retailers, utilities, and state and local governments to expand the opportunities to recycle spent CFLs generated by households and consumers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Federal Trade Commission strengthen the lamp labeling requirements for CFL packaging in a manner that will provide more detailed information about the mercury and lead content of CFLs and advise consumers to recycle spent CFLs instead of placing them in the trash; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Trade Commission.