Proper Disposal Of Fluorescent Lamps

The new rule became effective on jan.

Proper disposal of fluorescent lamps.

Easily identifiable by their narrow glass tubes twisted into curlicue shapes compact fluorescent bulbs cfls fit into standard light fixtures and last 8 000 to 20 000 hours. Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment. In illinois the newly amended universal waste rule encourages recycling or proper disposal of waste lamps. Proper disposal of fluorescent and hid lamps.

Other materials in the bulbs get reused. Fluorescent bulbs or tubes fall into the hazardous waste category since they also contain mercury. Learn more about cfls and mercury. These bulbs are most commonly used for industrial lighting and in commercial buildings.

Fluorescent lamps are hazardous because they contain mercury. The illinois pollution control board amended the illinois universal waste rule on april 2 1998 to cover lamps that meet the definition of hazardous waste. Many local recycling or environmental regulatory agencies recommend sealing the storage container or bag prior to pickup. Disposal of fluorescent light ballasts flb polychlorinated biphenyls pcbs were commonly used in the small capacitor within fluorescent light ballasts.

Fluorescent and high intensity discharge hid lamps use less electricity per unit of light emitted than incandescent lighting which means lower levels of air pollutants such as mercury lead nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides from electrical generation plants. Fluorescent tubes can last up to 15 000 hours making them a common choice for business classrooms etc. The universal waste rule of 1995 was designed to reduce the amount of rcra hazardous waste disposed of in municipal waste landfills encourage recycling and proper management of some common hazardous wastes and reduce the regulatory. Store used fluorescent tubes in a closed container such as the tubes original cardboard packaging or a large plastic trash bag.

Cfls and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster trash can or compactor or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. They should not be disposed of in your curbside trash. Check earth911 for your area and call ahead to be sure or take your used fluorescent tube bulbs to your nearest household hazardous waste site. Fluorescent tube bulbs can generally be recycled at the same sites that take used cfl bulbs but some retailers may not accept larger ones.

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