Management companies are planning to be involved in the collection of mercury-containing lamps

The procedure for the safe collection and disposal of fluorescent lamps was discussed at a meeting with Deputy Mayor for Economics and Finance Anatoly Abramov, the press service of the city administration reports.

“It is impossible to solve this very important problem from an environmental point of view using an administrative method; in modern conditions it is necessary to look for market mechanisms,” the mayor’s office quotes Anatoly Abramov as saying.

At the meeting, the option of introducing a deposit on such lamps for stores that can accept used devices from the public and transfer them to organizations that have recycling licenses was considered. In this case, the buyer will have the opportunity to return part of the money spent on the lamp when returning it to the store after use. Another possible mechanism is to involve management companies in the collection of mercury-containing lamps from the population.

The Legal Committee and the Department of Municipal Economy have been tasked with analyzing the existing regulatory framework and making specific proposals for the disposal of waste hazardous to humans.

It should be noted that the existing city hall resolution on the procedure for recycling fluorescent lamps was adopted in January 2011. However, Tomsk residents practically do not use the scheme.