Fluorescent Light Bulbs to Be Banned in Canada

Ottawa is banning the sale of fluorescent light bulbs that were once believed to be as environmentally friendly as they were energy-saving. The federal government announced its plan this week to ban the import and manufacture of fluorescent light bulbs beginning Dec. 31, 2025, due to their use of mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal that negatively impacts the environment when disposed of improperly. “It is crucial that we continue to protect the health of Canadians and their environment, while encouraging businesses to transition to safer alternatives,” Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said in a June 19 statement in which he described mercury as “a known toxic substance.”...