The environmental issue for
some lamps is mercury. Mercury is a toxic material
with potentially serious health effects. Mercury
is also an essential component of energy-efficient
light bulbs.
The most widely known types of energy-efficient lighting containing mercury are fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs. High intensity discharge (HID) bulbs also use mercury in the process that generates light. HID bulbs include mercury vapor, metal halide and high-pressure sodium bulbs, often used for streetlights, floodlights, parking lots, and industrial lighting. Other mercury-containing bulbs include neon/argon lamps, commonly used for electric signs.
For information on disposing of ballasts check our ballast recycling page.
Disposal Regulations
Disposal regulations are difficult to understand at
times. On one hand Mercury is a hazardous material. On
the other hand light bulbs
fall under a universal waste rule
and can be thrown out with the normal trash with
certain precautions. Putting mercury-containing
bulbs in the trash is prohibited by some states
yet allowed by others.
States that ban mercury-containing lamps from landfills are California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Vermont, and parts of Florida. To add to the confusion Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York allow households to use landfills but ban business from sending lamps to landfills.
Mercury containing bulbs should never be disposed of in an incinerator. If your trash disposal is by incineration do not dispose of mercury containing bulbs in the normal or universal waste stream.
EPA Conclusion on Lamp Disposal
Even though some fluorescent bulbs will break and some mercury may be released into the environment, the EPA concludes: "...the use of mercury-containing bulbs for general indoor lighting makes good environmental sense. These bulbs are significantly more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs because they require less energy to provide lighting. Electrical generation from coal-burning power plants also releases mercury into the environment. The use of fluorescent bulbs in place of incandescent bulbs lowers energy use and thus reduces the associated release of mercury from many power plants."
Lamp Recycling
Service Lamp supports the EPA recommendation to
recycle mercury-containing bulbs at the end of their
service life. Nationwide over 670 million
mercury-containing bulbs are discarded each year yet
virtually all components of a
fluorescent bulb can
be recycled. The metal end caps, glass tubing,
mercury and phosphor powder can all be separated
and reused. The recycled metal and glass can be
remanufactured into other products. The mercury
can be recycled into new light bulbs and other
mercury-containing devices. Mercury recovery is
99.99% enough that all Philips fluorescent lamps
are made with recycled mercury in the U.S. Philips
linear fluorescent lamps also have the lowest
mercury content -- 1.3 mg compared to a 5-mg
average cited by the EPA.
We recommend you check for local recyclers to minimize the cost and carbon footprint of transporting lamps to recycling. We can recommend a nationwide service if no local source is available.
Budget for Recycling Costs
Recycling costs vary according to the type of lamp, quantities and transportation cost. Packaging and transportation are actually a big part of the cost. Reasonable estimates for prepaid services that include a container and shipping are:
- Fluorescent Tubes 16¢ - 34¢ per linear foot
- High Intensity Discharge Bulbs - $1.50 - $4.25
- Compact Fluorescent Bulbs - 50¢ - $1.00
If there is a recycler in your area you can reduce recycling cost by packing spent fluorescent tubes in the box new tubes came in and carefully transporting them to the recycling facility. Prepaid services for fluorescent tubes include the external container, an internal liner to contain material in the event of breakage, and an internal container to help prevent breakage. Service Lamp developed similar, UPS approved packaging techniques to ensure linear fluorescents are delivered without breakage.
For additional information call
Service Lamp, 800-222-LAMP. 