Recycle used fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs
Fluorescent lighting is an excellent business and environmental choice because it can reduce energy consumption by 50 percent and lighting costs by 30-38 percent. Fluorescent lamps last, on an average, ten times longer than conventional incandescent lamps.
Fluorescent lamps contain mercury, so recycle them.
Each fluorescent lamp contains a small quantity of mercury. However, with the large number of lamps in use, this adds up to a significant amount that can be released into the environment if lamps are not recycled properly. Mercury can be toxic to humans and animals if inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or consumed through foods we eat. Other lamps that contain mercury include mercury vapor lamps, metal halide lamps, high-pressure sodium lamps and neon lamps. All of these should be recycled.
Does my business need to recycle fluorescent lamps?
What Should I Do with Used Fluorescent Lamps?
Where to recycle used fluorescent lamps:
How else can I help reduce mercury pollution?
Where can I get more information on mercury and mercury-containing products?
Does my business need to recycle fluorescent lamps?
Fluorescent lamps are classified as a universal hazardous waste and all businesses should recycle them. If you are a small business generating less than 220 lbs. of hazardous waste (including fluorescent lamps and other mercury-containing wastes) and less than 2.2 lbs. of acutely hazardous waste within any month of a calendar year, then your business may qualify as a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Universal Waste Generator (CESQUWG). (As an example, one box of 36 fluorescent lamps (four-foot long tubes) weighs about 24 lbs.)
CESQUWGs are not subject to the same rules for training, accumulation, and packaging of their hazardous waste that the larger hazardous waste generators are. However, they do need to follow the recycling and disposal requirements of the universal hazardous waste rules in the State of California. CESQUWGs can recycle their lamps at their local government sponsored Hazardous Waste Recycling and Disposal Programs. Or, they can choose to collect and ship the lamps to a lamp recycling business (see attached list of California recyclers).
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What Should I Do with Used Fluorescent Lamps?
Before you start to recycle your fluorescent lamps, make sure you and your staff is aware of the regulations and best management practices for handling and storing the wastes. If you are unsure about what is required of you, contact the Santa Clara County Hazardous Waste Recycling and Disposal Program at (408) 299-7300 for information. Additional resources may be found at the websites listed at the end of this article.
Storage -
Store used fluorescent lamps for recycling in
sturdy cardboard boxes (e.g. the ones they were shipped in). If those boxes
are not available, some can be purchased from fluorescent lamp recyclers.
Store boxes or containers in a secure, dry place.
Labeling
-
Place a label on the container with the date
you started collecting lamps in it and mark it with the words “Used Lamps”,
“Waste Lamps” or “Universal Waste-lamps.”
Breakages - If lamps are accidentally
broken, clean them up promptly. Wear protective plastic or latex gloves to
avoid touching the glass with your bare hands. Use pieces of cardboard to push
the glass into a pile and carefully pick up the shards, placing them inside a
heavy plastic bag that is placed inside of box or in a rigid container that
can be sealed. Place a label on the container indicating that broken lamps
are inside. Do not mix broken lamp debris in with the unbroken spent lamps
you are recycling; otherwise the recycler for handling the wastes may charge
you extra.
Recycling - Used lamps should not be accumulated for more than one year from the date you start collecting them until the time you recycle them.
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Where to recycle used fluorescent lamps:
Santa Clara County businesses (except Palo
Alto): The Santa Clara County
Hazardous Waste Recycling and Disposal Program can take fluorescent lamps and
other types of hazardous waste from CESQUWGs. Businesses using the service
will be asked for a waste inventory and an EPA ID number and will be given a
drop-off appointment. For information on how to obtain an EPA ID number visit
www.DTSC.ca.gov and look under
Frequently Requested Information. A temporary California ID number can be
obtained by calling 1-800-618-6942. Businesses are charged disposal fees based
on waste type and quantity. Fees are collected at time of drop-off. For more
information call (408) 299-7300 or visit
www.hhw.org.
Palo Alto businesses: CESQUWGs
located in Palo Alto and its partner cities of East Palo Alto, Mountain View,
Stanford, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills can dispose of their fluorescent lamps
and hazardous waste at the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant.
Events are held monthly and by appointment only. For more information about
Palo Alto’s hazardous waste program call (650) 496-6980 or visit http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pwd/news/details.asp?NewsID=352&TargetID=181
Recycling Firms - Arrangements can also be made with a lamp recycling business to accept the lamps and ship them to a recycling business on your own. (See attached list of local recyclers). Common transportation carriers (e.g., UPS and FedEx) can pick up the lamps and transport them to a recycler. Also, some recyclers can schedule pick-ups from your business as a part of one of their regular routes. Check with a recycler to find out what their particular options and requirements are. For a list of local recyclers click here.
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How else can you help reduce mercury pollution?
Return to Frequently Asked Questions
For more information on mercury and mercury-containing products visit:
Click here to find more information on managing Universal Waste in California – Fact Sheet, June 2003, http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/EWaste/upload/HWM_FS_UWR.pdf
Click here to find more information on disposal of other mercury containing wastes, http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/p2/mercpam.html
Find information on non–mercury alternatives to consumer products at http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ead-p2-mercury-consumer.doc