Recycling Mercury Lamps

Highly efficient, fluorescent lighting is an excellent choice for both financial and environmental reasons. Fluorescent and HID lamps contain mercury, however, and must be managed properly, especially when they become a waste. Tossing mercury lamps in the trash is no longer a lawful option. Disposal of lamps as hazardous waste can be expensive. Recycling spent lamps, however, is a cost-effective disposal alternative.

1. Assess your facility

How many fluorescent and HID lamps do you use? How many do you dispose of each month, or each year? What do your employees do now with spent or broken lamps?

2. Choose a recycling company

See NYSDEC List of Lamp Recyclers or NEWMOA List of Lamp Recyclers for a list of recyclers operating in the Northeast. Your recycler will explain how to properly store spent fluorescents and prepare them for shipping, as well as provide storage containers, transportation and a certificate of recycling. See below for alternatives to recycling companies.

3. Establish a process for collecting and managing used lamps as Universal Waste

Designate a safe, dry storage area where the lamps won't be broken. Make sure employees know whom to call when a lamp burns out, or what to do if one breaks.

If your building generates small amounts of waste lamps, consider recycling through a "box program." In this type of program you collect spent lamps in a pre-paid, labeled shipping container, purchased from a recycler or distributor. When the container is full, you simply mail it to the recycler. Note: Maine does not permit box program recycling.

If your building generates large amounts of waste lamps, recyclers can make regular pick-ups. Also, consider re-lamping in bulk. This could save you money.

4. Store used lamps in Universal Waste-compliant containers.

Mark each container with "Universal Waste - Lamps," "Waste Lamps" or "Used Lamps," and the date accumulation began. Get lamps to the recycler within one year.

5. Properly manage broken lamps

Clean up broken lamps promptly, placing shards and spilled powder in a puncture-resistant, sealed, plastic bag, or bucket. Wear gloves and use a damp cloth to sweep up the powder. Place all clean-up materials in a separate sealed container. Never vacuum lamps; it will simply spread the mercury vapor. You may recycle broken lamps at the same facility as your intact lamps. Do not throw them in the regular trash.

6. Save records

Save recycling certificates and bills of lading or invoices that track your lamps, particularly if you do not work directly with a recycler.

7. Include recycling costs in your annual budget

How much does it cost to recycle lamps?

The average cost is 25 to 40 cents per 4-foot lamp. Good Rule of Thumb: Expect to replace lamps at a rate of 1 lamp per 64 square feet per year. Average annual cost is therefore about $406 to $625 for every 100,000 square feet.

8. Let your tenants know you are recycling

They'll appreciate your concern for the environment! Encourage them to recycle too.

"Recycling fluorescent lamps is a simple and affordable practice that keeps mercury from contaminating our community. We proudly recycle the fluorescents in our property and encourage other property managers to do the same."
--Michael Quinn, Boston Properties, Property Manager for Boston's Prudential Center

Choosing a recycler

Prices and services vary. Be sure to comparison shop. Find out whether the mercury is reclaimed on-site or shipped off-site for processing (generally more expensive). Consider these key factors when choosing a recycler:

Responsive service
Technical capability
Experience and references
Recycling verification provided in writing
Environmental compliance history
Up-to-date permits (facilities and transportation)
Indemnity protection (insurance coverage should be for a minimum of $5 million)

Alternatives to recyclers

Ask your lamp distributor if he or she can help you recycle your lamps. Many distributors now offer this convenient "one-stop shopping" service to their customers.
Or, you can contract a licensed hazardous waste transporter, although this is often more expensive.
You can also contract spent lamp management to a cleaning company or electrical contractor, but you must be sure that they are in compliance with federal and state regulations. You will be held liable if your subcontractor improperly disposes of your lamps.

Can I use a lamp crusher or "bulb eater"?

Lamp crushing is not recycling. It may be considered illegal treatment of hazardous waste in your state, subjecting you to administrative penalties. Check with your state hazardous waste program to see if lamp crushing is allowed in your state. For contact information, go to Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association's website: www.newmoa.org/lamprecycle or call 617-367-8558 x305 or x302. (Note: crushed lamps must be managed as Hazardous Waste, which costs more than the recycling of intact lamps.) In New York State, see: Fluorescent and HID Lamp Management in New York State.

Recycle ALL fluorescents, even the low-mercury ones. One lamp alone may not make a difference, but millions are in use. The cumulative impact is significant.