Fluorescent Bulb Recycling
Careful
recycling of fluorescent tube bulbs prevents the release of mercury into the environment
and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up
fluorescent lights. Businesses can take the following steps to start a
recycling program:
Step 1: Survey Your Facility - Check to see where fluorescent bulbs
are located and how many are in the facility. Create a record of how often you
change the lamps and how many you are disposing of each month or year. Decide who will be the main handler of the
lamps. Inform your employees of your decision to recycle all
fluorescent lamps and the dangers of mercury spillage if a bulb breaks. Post
clean up procedures on the employee bulletin board.
Step 2: Select a Recycler or Alternative
Method for Disposing of Your Bulbs
Choose
a recycler who is in compliance with the EPA regulations for recycling of
fluorescent tubes. Check with them for pricing and get more than one quote for
your needs. Investigate if their
customer service is timely, flexible and willing to work with your firm. Ask
how they dispose or recycle the bulbs? Also, your lamp distributor may offer a
recycling service for their customers; or a cleaning company/electrical
contractor may be in compliance with state and federal regulations to recycle
your bulbs.
Step 3: Storage and Procedure for Used
Fluorescent Lamps
Your
company should have a special designated area that is dry and safe from
breakage. Notify your employees of whom to call when lights burn out.
Used
fluorescent lights can be stored in their original boxes in a way that avoids
breakage until they are ready to be recycled. The containers should be free of
any evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that can cause a mercury leak. Do
not tape or rubber band the bulbs together. Seal storage boxes with 3 inch PVC
tape and mark the boxes "Waste Lamps" or "Used Lamps".
Create
procedures for managing broken lamps. The EPA Mercury Web site provides
detailed instructions for cleaning up broken fluorescent tubes. Learn about how
to clean up broken lamps by visiting EPA's Mercury Web site.
Step 4: Options and Procedures Recycling
Lamps
The
size of your facility and number of waste lamps generated determines the type
of pickup for your organization. These options are as follows:
Dedicated Pick-up - It may be cost effective to an
organization when the facility has generated enough waste lamps to fill a truck
load on a request basis or once a month pickup.
Mail-In or Box
Program - This
option is for recycling a small amount of waste bulbs. The recycler can provide
a container or you can purchase containers on line to fill with used waste
lamps. When the container is full, it can be sent to the recycler via a prepaid
ground mail shipment program.
Milk-Run - This is a very common method. The
Recycler schedules a number of pickups from you. These runs are normally run on
a set schedule and normally will have a contract agreement.
Self-Transport - This option is if you generate a
small amount of waste lamps, can transport and are in close proximity to the
recycle facility. Lamp recyclers can provide transport boxes.
Step 5: Record and Track Data - You should obtain and maintain a copy
on file of the recyclers' "Certificate of Recycling." state and
federal regulations so you have verification that your lamps were recycled in
accordance with the Universal Waste Rule.
Step 6: Include Recycling Costs in Your
Annual Budget - Depending
on the type of lamp, quantities and transportation, recycling costs vary. It is
best to call for at least three quotes. The following price ranges are typical:
Tubes - 4¢ to 12¢ per linear foot; High Intensity Discharges - $1.50 - $2.00; Compact
Fluorescent Lamps - 50¢ - $1.00
