Fluorescent Tube Recycling - BlinkyBulb Project Launched

Fluorescent tubes (conventional and compact) contain mercury, a valuable but very toxic heavy metal. Mercury is the most toxic pollutant, after radioactive substances, on the Environmental Protection Authority’s list of industrial pollutants.
Over 10,000 tonnes of mercury contaminated waste is contained in landfills across Australia every year.

Rotary Launches BlinkyBulb Pilot Program
The aim of the program is to set up a process so as many people as possible in Rotary District 9780 will have access to convenient, safe and cost-free disposal of their used fluorescent tubes/globes, which are then recycled with every component recoverable.
Rotary has established 67 collection points across their District. Members of the public can bring their used tubes/globes to these collection points where they are boxed, the filled boxes are collected by Rotarians and transported to a central collection point where they will be stockpiled for transport to the recycling facility.

The project was officially launched on World Environment Day, June 5th 2009. One launch event was held in Ballarat and another in Geelong where all the key players gathered to view the television promotion and thank sponsors. Cr Noel Perry, Chairman of the Highlands Regional Water Management Groups spoke about the project's background and acknowledged Rotary's role in initiating the project that will hopefully be taken up by more water management groups across Australia. This project would not be viable without the Rotary volunteers who will provide the bulk of the labour.

Click Here for more information on BlinkyBulb and collection points