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Avoid Penalties, Upgrade Responsibly
Fluorescent and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps are covered under the Universal Waste Rule of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Projects that are disposing of more than 340 four-foot lamps or about 183 eight-foot lamps (to total >220 pounds), must manage fluorescent and HID lamps as hazardous waste.
We offer resources for Project Managers to easily and affordably comply with guidelines and avoid penalties including fines, suspension of licenses, and possible incarceration.
Not only is responsible disposal of hazardous materials the law, it makes for better customer relations, a healthier population, and a stronger world.
The RCRA is primarily enforced and regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
A business or individual violating the RCRA may expect fines to be imposed by regulatory agencies for violations and court injunctions requiring a party to cease business operations.
The responsible party may be ordered to take corrective actions and cover all costs for cleanup and remediation concerning environmental contamination caused.
Persons or organizations could encounter significant fines, especially for deliberate or intentional breaches. Should the violations be severe, individuals may be subject to imprisonment as a component of the penalty.
Beyond Compliance & Responsibility...
You can’t upgrade for environmental preservation and energy efficiency, then just leave Hazardous Materials behind for others to deal with!
From DIY to White-Glove Service
Many options are available for a variety of project needs from self-boxing in approved, prepaid shipping boxes to custom handling by our team – including boxing and fully compliant disposal.
Please note: No broken lamps are to be included in any packaging and must be disposed of properly.
MEDIUM
≤ 68 T-12 / 146 T-8 tubes (4ft)
≤ 16 T-12 / 39 T-8 tubes (8ft)
$127 / box (4ft)
$108 / box (8ft)
Prepaid shipping label included
LARGE
≤ 600 T-12 / 1,350 T-8 (8ft)
$12/box 70 T-12 / 150 T-8 (4ft)
or 16 T-12 / 40 T-8 (8ft')
$0.95/lb recycling
10% environmental fee
$350 Transportation fee
X-LARGE
≥ 601 T-12 / 1,351 T-8 (8ft)
WE BOX & LOAD
$0.95/lb recycling
10% environmental fee
$750 Transportation fee
Broken Fluorescent Lights
Fluorescent lamps contain hazardous mercury and must be handled safely & responsibly. Should you unintentionally damage a fluorescent light, adhere to the following steps to ensure the safe cleanup of bulbs.
Safe Fluorescent Lamp Disposal
- Clear the premises of all individuals and pets, ensuring that no one passes through the affected area during evacuation
- Open windows and vacate the room for a minimum of 15 minutes
- Turn off the central forced-air heating and air conditioning systems
- While wearing gloves, delicately gather glass fragments and powder with rigid paper or cardboard, depositing them into a glass jar with a metal lid (like a canning jar) or a securely sealed plastic bag
- Employ adhesive tape, such as duct tape, to collect any lingering small glass shards and powder
- Cleanse the area with moist paper towels or disposable wet wipes, and dispose of the towels in the aforementioned glass jar or plastic bag
- Avoid using a vacuum or broom to address the broken bulb on hard surfaces
- With gloves on, cautiously collect glass pieces and powder using rigid paper or cardboard, depositing them into a glass jar with a metal lid (like a canning jar) or a securely sealed plastic bag
- Utilize adhesive tape, such as duct tape, to gather any residual small glass fragments and powder
- If vacuuming becomes necessary after eliminating all visible materials, vacuum the area where the bulb broke
- Afterward, remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), placing the bag and vacuum debris into a sealed plastic bag
- Dispose of clothing or bedding that directly contacts broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb as the mercury and glass may adhere to the fabric. Avoid washing such items, as mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate machines and pollute sewage
- However, clothing or materials exposed to mercury vapor from a broken Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL), including the attire worn during cleanup, can be washed, provided they haven’t directly touched materials from the broken bulb
- Ensure shoes in direct contact with bulb powder are wiped with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipes, placing them in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal
- Promptly relocate all cleanup materials outdoors to a secure location until you are prepared to transport them to a collection center
- When the time comes, transport these materials to one of the hazardous waste facilities in your area found on Earth911.com’s CFL recycling solution search page
- For the next few vacuuming sessions, ensure the central forced-air heating and air conditioning systems are turned off, and a window is open before you begin
- Keep the central heating and air conditioning system off and the window open for a minimum of 15 minutes after completing the vacuuming
Valuable Recyclables
Let’s make the most of upgrading to more efficient and less hazardous LED lighting. When we responsibly dispose of outdated fluorescent lamps, industry can benefit by reclaiming valuable resources which positively impact the supply chain and reduce costs on all of America’s building projects.
Glass Tubing
Fluorescent tube glass is recycled in specialized facilities, melted down, and repurposed for new glass products.
Mercury
Mercury recovery in specialized facilities involves retorting, purifying, and reusing it in industrial applications.
Internal Coating
Tube coating yields phosphor powder. Specialized processes extract it for reuse in LED production or other applications.
Aluminum and Brass
Fluorescent tube aluminum and brass parts are recycled, melted down, and reused in new metal products.
Get Certified Today
We offer a no-cost Sustainability Leadership Certificate celebrating businesses that lead the way in environmental stewardship by replacing fluorescent lights with energy-efficient LEDs.
Learn how you can underscore your commitment to sustainability, reduced energy costs, & public health and safety by applying for certification and get listed a policy-compliant today.
Partners & Compliance
