In Phelps' opinion, the state needs to raise awareness among small businesses. Maine Energy Recovery Co. in Biddeford has a program to educate custodians in schools and town buildings in Saco and Biddeford about how to dispose of fluorescent bulbs and other products containing mercury. Those items are then sold to recyclers. Brenda Libby, Maine Energy's director of public affairs, said it doesn't make sense to push for a total ban on products containing mercury. That's where our efforts should be.
Education programs can be effective.
Nine member towns in the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments started a regional collection program for fluorescent bulbs in June 1999. In just one year, they collected 45,300 feet of fluorescents that otherwise would have gone to incinerators or landfills. The deadline for requests is at the end of April, but Portland still hasn't decided whether it will submit an application. Moon, of Portland's public works department, said he needs to discuss the program with officials at RWS first, so that the city and the incinerator don't submit competing proposals. Since the state is encouraging regional programs, it's likely RWS will have the responsibility of applying for the grant and setting up a collection plan.