Sydney Opera House Lights to be recycled

The Sydney Opera House Trust has committed to recycle flourescent lights from its iconic building, and was recently commended by the Australian Government for its efforts.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water Don Farrell presented certificates to the Trust along with major NSW-based companies, including AusGrid, Essential Energy, Savills Australia, and Westpac, in recognition of their joining the national FluoroCycle recycling scheme.

The aim of the scheme is to reduce the amount of mercury entering the environment from the disposal of mercury-containing lighting. 135 organisations nationally have signed up to the initiative.

“Having the Sydney Opera House on board is a huge boost for the scheme,” Farrell said.

“One of the world’s great sights is seeing the Opera House lit up at night. Now, lighting from this landmark building will be recycled and the mercury prevented from entering the environment.”

FluoroCycle and the Product Stewardship Act 2011 are both priorities under Australia’s National Waste Policy. A product stewardship initiative such as FluoroCycle, where industry voluntarily agrees to take action, make an important contribution to reducing the impacts of products on the environment and human health.

FluoroCycle is delivered jointly by Lighting Council Australia and the Australian Government on behalf of the Australian, state, and territory environment ministers.