Digital technology association DIGITALEUROPE and the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have launched two new logos for televisions (TVs) and computer monitors to help identify screens containing mercury.

Supported by funds provided by WRAP, and developed in association with several television and monitor manufacturers, the ‘Hg’ symbols (the chemical symbol for mercury in the periodic table) have been developed specifically for producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), to ‘enable collection, logistics and recycling treatment operators to identify, segregate and treat end-of-life equipment safely and efficiently’.

Mercury, a toxic chemical element, is sometimes used in backlit screens containing cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) but can harm the environment (and human health) if disposed of without the relevant controls.

As such, to help identify screens that contain mercury, manufacturers are being urged to use one of two ‘Hg’ symbols: one that identifies screens containing mercury; or one identifying those that are mercury-free.

The two bodies have said they are ‘confident’ that the logos will ‘benefit many stakeholders in this sector by enhancing the opportunity for recycling operators efficiently to recycle end-of-life TVs and monitors in a safe and environmentally sound manner’.

Logos could benefit environment and cut costs

Lucy Cooper, Project Manager for Products and Materials at WRAP, added that as well as better disposal, the logos could help reduce costs. She said: “Separating screens containing mercury will allow for easier extraction of valuable elements in mercury-free screens, and it may also reduce treatment costs as only those screens containing CCFL backlights will need to be transported and treated as hazardous. Currently, all TVs and monitors are considered hazardous because they may contain mercury.”

WRAP is also hoping that the presence of logos on the back of screens could help the industry move to a ‘safer, automated [recovery] process’.

As part of the ongoing revision of EU Ecodesign regulation for energy-using products, DIGITALEUROPE is also proposing a complete phase out of mercury-containing back light for televisions in favour of ‘other, safer technologies’, such as light-emitting diodes.

The logo is freely available for use by all producers and can be accessed through DIGITALEUROPE's website.

Find out more about the Hg logos or read more about ecodesign.