Toxic Mercury-fluorescent Lamps

We are all concerned about the environment, especially if it concerns our health. Today we are more aware of recycling programs for paper, plastic, glass, and metals. But why be concerned about recycling fluorescent lamps? It has been found that fluorescent lamps and tubes are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded because they contain mercury.

In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started the safe recycling and disposal of fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge (HID) lamps that are used in commercial and industrial businesses. As of February 8th, 2006 all fluorescent lamps in California must be recycled.

(Title 22, division 4.5, chapter 11, section 66261.50)

Fluorescent and high intensity discharge lamps need mercury to operate. Their energy efficiency comes from the ability of the mercury to generate ultraviolet energy.

In 2003, lamp manufacturers used some 7 tons of mercury, which ended up in lamps.

Universal wastes are usually items commonly thrown into the trash by household and large and small businesses, such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps.

The hazardous emissions happen when lamps break, a small amount of the mercury is released into the atmosphere and eventually permeates into ground water. The mercury in lamps is invisible and volatile. But airborne mercury is deposited on land and in the water. A toxic form of the metal is known as methyl mercury, which can accumulate in fish and shellfish.

With some 600 to 650 million mercury containing lamps sold in the U.S. each year, even these small amounts of mercury vapor can add up significantly. The threat of mercury toxicity has been widely reported. Many health problems are related to mercury. Therefore, the need for recycling as a means of keeping mercury from entering the ecosystem is urgent. A recycling program for the facility can significantly reduce the threat of mercury.

How do I recycle lamps?

When it comes time to choose a recycling method, facility executives have several options. The most common is to use pre-paid recycling containers. Facility executives purchase the containers, pack up spent lamps and ship them to a recycler. This way it eliminates the need for storage space, as a facility can ship used lamps immediately.

A second method is pick-up services, which offer a lamp recycling service and a lamp crushing system. The used lamps are packed into boxes or fiber drums, and a pick-up is scheduled with a recycling service.

A third way is to have a delivery truck that brings new lamps and take back the old ones, for a recycling fee. Since the truck would otherwise return to its site empty, this is a very efficient way to recycle the lamps. From an environmental standpoint, it also makes sense. Transportation is reduced and extra handling is eliminated.

The time to start a mercury lamp-recycling program is now. It is possible to begin reversing the environmental damage, and it all begins at the facility management office where facility managers can implement a recycling program.

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