WARNING! SPECIAL WASTE

It is well known that the global campaign to save energy, which resulted in a ban on the production of incandescent light bulbs, caused people to begin using energy-efficient fluorescent lamps more and more often. However, this transition was not accompanied by an explanation as to how they should be disposed of. We have to admit that the most common method of "disposing" of these bulbs is the well-known "broom-scoop-bin" chain. However, this is the case not only in Azerbaijan but also in many CIS countries, including Russia, which, like European countries, plan to switch completely to the production of fluorescent bulbs in the near future. However, unlike European countries, which were preoccupied with the disposal of these bulbs before switching to the new system of "lighting", this did not happen in the CIS. And the "broom-scoop-bin" type of disposal entails a risk of poisoning with mercury, which is used in the manufacture of fluorescent tubes.

Experts argue that the limit of the allowable concentration of mercury in premises is 0.01 mg/m3. And this limit can be reached by breaking just one energy-efficient bulb in premises with insufficient ventilation. Drivers who have installed neon interior lighting in their cars are also running a risk. As a result of a small accident, the bulbs often break, contaminating the interior of the car with mercury. If a bulb is no longer usable, but is still airproof, it should not be disposed of in a container for household waste, as depressurization will inevitably occur during transportation or storage and recycling. This means that a used fluorescent lamp requires special disposal. For example, a standard energy-efficient bulb contains from 3 to 5 milligrams of mercury. This metal is extremely toxic and belongs to the first risk class (extremely hazardous chemicals). Mercury vapour is especially dangerous to health.

As follows from the data collected by the German Institute for Urban Affairs in Berlin, Germany, less than 40 per cent of all gas-discharge lamps are disposed of in accordance with environmental standards. It is not known where all the others go. Ideally, such "special waste" must be delivered to a collection point. In Europe, for example, one can inquire about the location of the nearest collection point for mercury waste through the Internet. But in rural areas, the situation is more complicated. There, a consumer will have to travel at least 10-15 km before he can get rid of mercury waste. Therefore, even in a highly industrialized country like Germany, there are problems with the disposal of energy-efficient lamps. Therefore, Germany has greatly expanded the chain of collection points and installed bins for collecting used bulbs near major shopping centres. Moreover, these special containers have individual cells so that the bulbs do not break. Another solution to the problem was the organization of a special regular vehicle service for collecting broken bulbs. However, all this will not save if an energy-efficient lamp breaks in the apartment just like a crashed thermometer. The demercurization of premises will require a lot of effort and energy.

In Azerbaijan, there are almost no points for collecting such toxic waste. For example, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has a department of environmental protection, which runs a section for dangerous emissions. The Ministry of Environment told R+ that the consumer may apply to this sector in order to hand over the special waste. But in this case, he can act on his own initiative. This means that there is no wide chain of points to collect these types of household waste, just like there is no public awareness of this issue. The Ministry of Environment noted that, of course, this issue will soon be reviewed at the state level, because very soon most countries will switch to the production and use of energy-efficient fluorescent lamps. In any case, even now such lighting devices are used quite widely by individuals in Azerbaijan. The way out of this situation could be to create public and private companies for disposing of "special waste", and on a paid basis, as is the case in many countries around the world.

It should be noted that the disposal of fluorescent lamps existed under the Soviets. Factories and many large organizations were obliged to hand over such waste to respective organizations for disposal and pay for it. It is possible that either the state will undertake to pay for disposal of hazardous bulbs after they are collected in special containers or this issue will be included in public services. The most realistic way is to install special containers near houses. Another question is how quickly the problem will be resolved, because it is a very serious problem that can affect the health of the population.

By the way, not so long ago, due to the fact that Russia is switching to the full production of energy-efficient lamps this year, the Russian government has approved regulations for disposal of lighting devices, including mercury-containing energy-efficient lamps, which, if handled incorrectly, can harm human health and the environment. These regulations are mandatory for all legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, including those who manage apartment buildings. The document requires that used mercury-containing lamps be collected separately from other waste and prohibits independent transportation and disposal of these lamps. Their collection from the population should be organized by local government bodies and the process of collection itself by specialized organizations. The rules also prohibit the burial of used mercury-containing lamps in the ground. However, the media know that the system of collecting special waste in this country is not fully established yet and therefore, is far from being efficient.