LightRecycle Washington is funded by an Environmental Handling Charge or “EHC”. The EHC must be added to all mercury-containing lights sold at retail in Washington State. The EHC is used to cover program costs, including managing the transportation and recycling of collected products and the administration and promotion of the program.
The EHC is subject to retail sales tax, as it is considered to be a part of the purchase price of the lights. Manufacturers or retailers may choose to build the EHC into the product price, or display it as a separate charge to consumers at the time of sale. The EHC is not a government tax nor is it remitted to the government.