Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 22, 2003
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Sheryl Hutchison, Department of Ecology, 360-407-7004
“We can and must do much more to protect our citizens and future generations from toxic chemicals such as mercury,” Locke said. “The health risks from mercury are well documented, and we have more options than ever for recycling products that contain mercury.”
The Seattle Mariners, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Unico Properties Inc. joined the governor and pledged to recycle fluorescent and other mercury-containing lights used on their properties. In addition, Locke said he is preparing a directive for all state agencies to recycle similar lights.
The state’s mercury phase-out strategy, developed by the state departments of Ecology and Health, estimates that about 1 ton of mercury waste can be kept out of Washington’s environment each year by recycling products such as fluorescent lights, thermostats and thermometers that contain mercury. More than 5 million fluorescent tubes and bulbs are disposed annually in the Puget Sound area, with only 25 percent currently recycled – mostly by large businesses and institutions.
“The Mariners pledge 100-percent recycling of mercury-containing field lights used at Safeco Field,” said Howard Lincoln, chairman and CEO of Seattle Mariners in a statement provided for the news conference. Mariners President Chuck Armstrong represented the team at the news conference.
“Like the Mariners, Puget Sound Energy uses efficient fluorescent lights in our 55 facilities across our 11-county service territory,” said Jerry Henry, senior vice president of customer services and energy efficiency at Puget Sound Energy. “We have been and will continue to recycle all of our expended fluorescent lights at the proper waste-management facilities.”
In addition to recycling its own fluorescents, PSE is sponsoring coupons and rebate campaigns to promote the use and proper recycling of fluorescent lights by its customers.
Unico Properties Inc., which oversees 1.8 million square feet of office space in downtown Seattle, also pledged to recycle fluorescents and provide education to its tenants.
“At Unico, conserving our natural resources is just one way we recognize our responsibility to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we live and work,” said Dale Sperling, president and CEO of Unico Properties Inc.
Humans are most likely to be exposed to mercury by eating contaminated fish. Health advisories warning against eating certain types of fish contaminated with mercury have been issued for marine waters around Bremerton, Bainbridge Island and Seattle, for Lake Roosevelt near Coulee City, and Lake Whatcom in Bellingham.
Washington state was the first in the nation to develop a strategy for phasing out these toxic chemicals, called “persistent, bioaccumulative toxins” (PBTs). Mercury waste is the first PBT targeted because of its widespread use and serious health consequences.
Related Links:
- Mercury Action Web site
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 22, 2003
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Sheryl Hutchison, Department of Ecology, 360-407-7004
Gov. Locke, Business Leaders Pledge to Reduce Mercury Pollution
SEATTLE – April 22, 2003 – Beneath a crown of 575 stadium lights at Safeco Field, Gov. Gary Locke today announced a statewide campaign to curb mercury pollution. In celebration of Earth Day, the governor was joined by several business leaders who pledged their companies’ support in this statewide effort.“We can and must do much more to protect our citizens and future generations from toxic chemicals such as mercury,” Locke said. “The health risks from mercury are well documented, and we have more options than ever for recycling products that contain mercury.”
The Seattle Mariners, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Unico Properties Inc. joined the governor and pledged to recycle fluorescent and other mercury-containing lights used on their properties. In addition, Locke said he is preparing a directive for all state agencies to recycle similar lights.
The state’s mercury phase-out strategy, developed by the state departments of Ecology and Health, estimates that about 1 ton of mercury waste can be kept out of Washington’s environment each year by recycling products such as fluorescent lights, thermostats and thermometers that contain mercury. More than 5 million fluorescent tubes and bulbs are disposed annually in the Puget Sound area, with only 25 percent currently recycled – mostly by large businesses and institutions.
“The Mariners pledge 100-percent recycling of mercury-containing field lights used at Safeco Field,” said Howard Lincoln, chairman and CEO of Seattle Mariners in a statement provided for the news conference. Mariners President Chuck Armstrong represented the team at the news conference.
“Like the Mariners, Puget Sound Energy uses efficient fluorescent lights in our 55 facilities across our 11-county service territory,” said Jerry Henry, senior vice president of customer services and energy efficiency at Puget Sound Energy. “We have been and will continue to recycle all of our expended fluorescent lights at the proper waste-management facilities.”
In addition to recycling its own fluorescents, PSE is sponsoring coupons and rebate campaigns to promote the use and proper recycling of fluorescent lights by its customers.
Unico Properties Inc., which oversees 1.8 million square feet of office space in downtown Seattle, also pledged to recycle fluorescents and provide education to its tenants.
“At Unico, conserving our natural resources is just one way we recognize our responsibility to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we live and work,” said Dale Sperling, president and CEO of Unico Properties Inc.
Humans are most likely to be exposed to mercury by eating contaminated fish. Health advisories warning against eating certain types of fish contaminated with mercury have been issued for marine waters around Bremerton, Bainbridge Island and Seattle, for Lake Roosevelt near Coulee City, and Lake Whatcom in Bellingham.
Washington state was the first in the nation to develop a strategy for phasing out these toxic chemicals, called “persistent, bioaccumulative toxins” (PBTs). Mercury waste is the first PBT targeted because of its widespread use and serious health consequences.
Related Links:
- Mercury Action Web site
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