Fluorescent Lamp Disposal Regulations

Pcb containing ballasts become a concern if they are leaking or they will be removed and disposed of as hazardous waste.

Fluorescent lamp disposal regulations.

Please consult with your local and state authorities for the most up to date requirements for lamp disposal. To access a state s laws and regulations click on the state below. State regulations change periodically and it is the user s responsibility to comply with federal state and local regulations. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.

State regulations prohibit disposal of hazardous waste lamps and mce in municipal solid waste landfills. Facts on compact fluorescent lamps proper disposal this fact sheet is for general information only. Polychlorinated biphenyls pcbs were commonly used in the small capacitor within fluorescent light ballasts. Therefore if the lamps are being recycled they are not subject to the more stringent reporting and handling procedures that are necessary when managing hazardous wastes.

In some areas it s actually illegal to dispose of fluorescent tubes in the trash so be sure to follow the proper steps in recycling your fluorescent tubes to avoid breaking the law or damaging people s health. Ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain pcbs. While it is possible to test. The mercury inside fluorescent tube lights is hazardous so extra care should be taken to ensure that this material doesn t leak.

Some states and local jurisdictions have more stringent regulations than u s. A lamp is specifically designed to produce radiant energy most often in the ultraviolet visible and infra red regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Fluorescent bulb disposal regulations procedures. Epa does and may require that you recycle cfls and other mercury containing light bulbs.

Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling. Fluorescent lamp disposal and recycling in epa region 2 a guide for businesses in nj ny pr and vi april 2007 fluorescent lamps that are not marked as such i e those that have an unfinished aluminum end cap and no green marking are generally considered to be regulated hazardous waste after their useful life. It is not intended to replace interpret or modify the regulations for managing used fluorescent and high intensity discharge hid lamp wastes in illinois. An edison base screw in conventional light bulb compact fluorescent lamp.

Examples of common universal waste electric lamps include but are not limited to fluorescent high intensity discharge neon mercury vapor high pressure sodium and metal halide lamps.