The production and consumption of all products has an environmental
impact. The range of environmental concerns associated with
mercury-containing lighting products is well documented in Australian
(and internationally).
Product stewardship is a concept whereby
environmental protection centers around the product itself, and
everyone involved in the lifespan of the product is called upon to take
up responsibility to reduce its environmental impact.
For
manufacturers, this includes planning for, and if necessary, paying for
the recycling or disposal of the product at the end of its useful life.
This may be achieved, in part, by redesigning products to use fewer
harmful substances, to be more durable, reuseable and recyclable, and to
make products from recycled materials. For retailers and consumers,
this means taking an active role in ensuring the proper disposal or
recycling of an end-of-life product.
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/farrell/2011/mr20110323.htmlhttp://www.productstewardship.asn.au/http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/Mercury-containing_lamps_background_reading1.pdf