The

S il e n c e of t he L a m p s
E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .

Published with financial assistance from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
The views do not necessarily reflect the official position of the SSNC.
The Tox i c S i l e n c e of t he L a m p s
A Photo Investigation on Prevailing Disposal Practices for Mercury-Containing Lamp Waste

From January 30 to February 28, 2014, the EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental watchdog aspiring
for a zero waste and toxics-free society, conducted a photo investigation in Metro Manila to obtain fresh
evidence to stress the urgent need for an environmentally-sound management of mercury-containing
lamp waste, including a practical system for their safe collection, storage and recycling.
During this period, the EcoWaste Coalition’s AlerToxic Patrollers went to Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati,
Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon, San
Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela Cities and the Municipality of Pateros to document existing lamp disposal
practices.
Equipped with a cellphone and a digital camera, the group managed to take more than 100 photos
of discarded fluorescent lamps of all types, sizes and conditions – long and short, fat and thin, linear,
circular and spiral, broken and intact – in garbage bins, street corners, sidewalks, vacant lots and
even in esteros.
The photos clearly demonstrate how busted or spent lamps are currently handled and disposed of,
individually and by the dozen, without regard for occupational and public health and safety. Waste lamps,
as the photos show, are typically abandoned at the fence, gate, lamppost or by the roadside for the waste
collectors to pick up. Often they are left behind in vacant lots or thrown indiscriminately into rubbish
dumps and creeks.
Such irresponsible disposal practices may cause the glass tubes to break and explode, especially during
mixed waste hauling operations, instantly crushing the lamps and releasing their mercury content in vapor
form.
Unknown to many, the indiscriminate disposal of busted or spent fluorescent lamps as common trash
is not only polluting the surroundings, but is also exposing waste handlers, informal recyclers and the
public to mercury, a potent neurotoxin, which can lead to acute and chronic intoxication even at low
levels of exposure.
According to the “Guidebook on the Management of Mercury-Containing Lamp Wastes” published
by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Energy
(DoE) with support from the United Nations Development Programme – Global Environment Facility,
“when mercury-containing lamps are broken, compacted, crushed, or disposed of improperly, mercury is
released into the air, water and land, posing significant threat to people and the environment.”
As said by the Guidebook, “mercury and its compounds are highly toxic… even low level exposure
to mercury has caused serious health effects that including neurological damage, reproductive system
damage, behavioral problems and learning disabilities.”
While welcoming the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2013-09-2001 issued in September
2013 by the DoE and DENR tasking the lighting industry to establish a system for Extended Producer

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

Responsibility (EPR) that will make the industry responsible for the management of busted or spent
lamps, the EcoWaste Coalition is deeply concerned that its implementation has not moved fast enough
to deal with the existing problems of end-of-life disposal of lighting products, as reflected by the photos.
Knowing that the EPR system will take time to be fully operational, the EcoWaste Coalition appeals
to the DoE, DENR and other stakeholders to fast track the implementation of the said JAO, while also
pointing to the urgency of instigating practical measures towards the safe collection and storage of lamp
waste from households, businesses and institutions even before the EPR system gets underway.
Such measures should include, among other things:
Extensive public information drive on lamp waste handling, storage and disposal to prevent mercury
exposure through inhalation, ingestion and dermal or eye contact.
a. Waste workers’ education about the hazards of mercury in the waste stream and the need for
precaution.
b. Designation of convenient drop-off points for lamp waste with appropriate receptacles.
c. Provision of incentives to encourage waste generators to bring their lamp waste to the designated
drop-off points.
d. Safe and secure storage of collected lamp waste for proper, non-polluting recycling.
In addition, the EcoWaste Coalition insists that fluorescent lamps must be required to carry mercury
warning labels in line with the public’s right to know and be forewarned. Aside from the mandatory
hazard and precautionary information, specifying the mercury content on the packaging and the lamp
itself will facilitate proper identification and inventory of lighting products to be phased out by 2020
under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje signed in Japan
last October 2013.
Under the Mercury Treaty, the manufacture, import or export of compact fluorescent lamps equal to
or less than 30 watts with more than 5 mg of mercury per bulb shall not be allowed by 2020. Also to
be phased out by 2020 are triband phosphor linear fluorescent lamps less than 60 watts with mercury
content exceeding 5 mg per lamp, and halophosphate lamps less than or equal to 40 watts with mercury
content exceeding 10 mg per lamp.
Moreover, the EcoWaste Coalition calls on the lighting industry to invest more on clean production
solutions, including the development of high-quality, energy-efficient, affordable and nontoxic mercury-
free lighting substitutes.
May this photo collection aptly entitled “The Toxic Silence of the Lamps” put light on the real health
and environmental issues associated with inappropriate disposal of mercury-containing lamp waste, and
move the government, industry, civil society and the citizenry to act with speed and resolve to protect the
public health and the environment from mercury pollution.

EcoWaste Coalition
March 2014

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 A . d e l M u n d o S t . , S e c o n d Av e . , C a l o o c a n C i t y

C3, Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

 E D S A c o r. A s u n c i o n S t . , C a l o o c a n C i t y

C o r d e r o S t . , S e c o n d Av e . , C a l o o c a n C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 M, H. del Pilar St., Caloocan City

S e c o n d Av e . , C a l o o c a n C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

P. S e v i l l a S t . , S e c o n d Av e . , C a l o o c a n C i t y

S a m s o n R o a d ( n e a r A r r o y o’ s B i g a s a n ) , S a n g a n d a a n , C a l o o c a n C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
Va c a n t L o t , Z a p o t e - A l a b a n g
Road, Almazan 1, Las Pinas City

Caton St., near La Paz

Elementary School, Makati City

Zapote-Alabang Road,
Pamplona 1, Las Pinas City

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

A n g o n o S t . c o r. O s m e n a S t . , M a k a t i C i t y

Ya g u e S t . , M a k a t i C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Baler St., Makati City

B u e n d i a Av e . c o r. D i a n S t . , M a k a t i C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

Edison St., near Kainan ni Aling Paz, Makati City

S o u t h Av e . , M a k a t i C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Va c a n t L o t , C a r d o n a S t . , M a k a t i C i t y Va c a n t L o t , B a u t i s t a S t .
c o r. F i n l a n d i a S t . , M a k a t i C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

A r a n e t a Av e . , P o t r e r o , M a l a b o n C i t y

G o v. P a s c u a l , P o t r e r o , M a l a b o n C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 San Bartolome Parish, Malabon City

Reyan Junk Shop, Guava St., Potrero, Malabon City B o n i Av e . , M a n d a l u y o n g C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

B o n i Av e , , M a n d a l u y o n g C i t y

B o n i Av e . , M a n d a l u y o n g C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Va c a n t L o t , E D S A , M a n d a l u y o n g C i t y

Va c a n t L o t , E D S A , M a n d a l u y o n g C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

Creek, Binondo, Manila

Creek, Legarda St., Bustillos, Manila

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Manila City Hall

Pedro Gil St. (in between Mercury Drug Store and

C o e n f a Fa s h i o n H o u s e a n d G e n . M e r c h a n d i s e )

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

Plaza Cervantes, Manila

Soler St., Manila

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Universidad de Manila, Manila City

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

 Gen. Molina St. (near Supreme Bike Center), Marikina City

Va c a n t L o t , P a l i p a r a n S t . , M a r i k i n a C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Va c a n t L o t , M a r y S t . , P r o v i d e n t V i l l a g e , M a r i k i n a C i t y

G a t e , N a t i o n a l R o a d c o r. A g u i l a r S t . , P u t a t a n , M u n t i n l u p a C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

 Gate, Our Lady of the Abandoned Catholic
School, Poblacion, Muntinlupa CIty

Post, National Road (near RP Construction Supply), Putatan, Muntinlupa City

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Railtrack (near Alabang PNR Station), Muntinlupa City

Va c a n t L o t ( n e a r B a n c o A l a b a n g ) , N a t i o n a l R o a d ,
Putatan, Muntinlupa City

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

 Sidewalk (near King Harrold Memorial Chapels),
National Road, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Va c a n t L o t , M o l i n a S t . ,
Alabang, Muntinlupa City

M. Naval St., Navotas City

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Opena St., Paranaque City

Aurora St., Pasay City

Dominga St. (outside Rafael Palma

Elementary School), Pasay City

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

Ta f t Av e . E x t . , P a s a y C i t y

Ta f t . Av e n e a r c o r E D S A , P a s a y C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 We l l t o n B u i l d i n g , Ta f t Av e .
Pasay City

Va c a n t L o t , P. B u r g o s S t . , P a s a y C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

 A m a n g R o d r i g u e z Av e . n e a r
Shell, Santolan, Pasig City

E n t r a n c e , M a h o g a n y S t . , F. A g a p i t o S u b d . ,
Santolan, Pasig City

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 E n t r a n c e , S t . J o s e p h t h e Wo r k e r,
O r t i g a s Av e . E x t . , R o s a r i o , P a s i g C i t y

Fe n c e , L i t t l e L a m b s L e a r n i n g C e n t e r, O r t i g a s Av e . E x t . , R o s a r i o , P a s i g C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

 Wa l l , S m a r t D r i v i n g , O r t i g a s Av e . E x t . ,
Rosario, Pasig City

Va c a n t L o t , C e n t r a l B u s i n e s s P a r k , A m a n g R o d r i g u e z Av e . , M a n g g a h a n , P a s i g C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 M. Almeda St., near RCBC, Pateros

G. Flores St.,Pateros

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

 M. Almeda St. opp. Martirez del 96, Pateros

T. S u l i t S t . n e a r L o t t o , P a t e r o s

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Near the Municipal Hall, Pateros

D e l M o n t e Av e . n e a r c o r. B a n a w e S t . , Q u e z o n C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

 A n o n a s S t . , n e a r A s i a n Tr o p i c s
Salon and Day Spa, Quezon City

1 5 t h Av e . , n e a r B a y a n t e l ,
Cubao, Quezon City

K a l a y a a n Av e . c o r. M a s i g l a S t . , Q u e z o n C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Kamias Road, Quezon City

Kamias Road, near Metrobank,

Quezon City

Kamuning St., Quezon City

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

LT F R B , E a s t Av e . , Q u e z o n C i t y

Mega Air Enterprises, Aurora Blvd., Duyan-Duyan, Quezon City

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Matalino St., Quezon City

E D S A c o r. H o w m a r t S t . ,
Balintawak, Quezon City

Sidewalk of vacant building, Aurora Blvd, Cubao, Quezon City

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

Sidewalk, Libis, Quezon City

N e w Yo r k E l e c t r o n i c s , K a m i a s
Road, Quezon City

Molave St., Anonas, Quezon City

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 Va c a n t L o t , L i b i s , Q u e z o n C i t y

Va c a n t L o t , o p p . E a s t w o o d P o l i c e S t a t i o n ,
Libis, Quezon City

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

Aurora Blvd. near A. Lake St., San Juan City

A u r o r a B l v d . c o r. A . L u n a S t . ,
San Juan City

Aurora Blvd. near R. Lagmay St.,

San Juan City

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 N. Domingo St. near BPI, San Juan City

F. M a n a l o S t . , V i c e n c i o
C o m p o u n d , Ta g u i g C I t y

F. B l u m e n t r i t t S t . c o r. F.
Roxas St., San Juan City

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

F. M a n a l o S t . , o p p P o l i n t a n C o m p o u n d , Ta g u i g C i t y

G e n . L u n a S t . , i n f r o n t o f A r t e m i o N a t i v i d a d E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l , Ta g u i g C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .
 M a r i a n o S t . n e a r A u t o w o r k s , Ta g u i g C i t y

M a c A r t h u r H i g h w a y,
Va l e n z u e l a C i t y

A i d i a S t . , o p p . U C C P,
B a g u m b a y a n , Ta g u i g C i t y

The Toxic Silence of the Lamps

 S a n t i a g o S t . , K m 1 6 , M a c A r t h u r H i g h w a y, Va l e n z u e l a C i t y

M a c A r t h u r H i g h w a y, n e a r B D O - D a l a n d a n a n ,
Va l e n z u e l a C i t y

E c oWa s t e C o a l i t i o n , P h i l i p p i n e s , M a r c h 2 0 1 4 .