DON'T TRASH FLOURESCENT BULBS!

FLOURESCENT BULBS AND LAMPS CONTAIN MERCURY

THEY SHOULD NOT BE DISPOSED OF IN THE TRASH

IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY BREAK A FLOURESCENT BULB, THE EPA RECOMMENDS:

Before Clean-up: Vent the Room:

  • Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
  • Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

  • Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
  • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
  • Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
  • Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug:

  • Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
  • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments  and powder.
  • If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
  • Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

  • Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
  • Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
  • Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Vent the Room During and After Vacuuming

  • For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
  • Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

 
 

Did you know?

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) can last three to five years under normal use, which means the vast majority of bulbs ever sold are still in service. By 2010, the U.S. could be looking at 80 to 100 million improperly disposed fluorescent bulbs annually if people don't make use of recycling programs.

 
HOW TO RECYCLE YOUR FLOURESCENT
BULBS AND LAMPS

OPTION 1 : BRING THEM TO THE OTSEGO COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY

   The collection day is held every September.  Store your bulbs safely to reduce the the risk of breakage.  Disposal of CFL's and lamps up to 4 ft is FREE for households.  Otsego County will pay for the first $50 of disposal costs for small businesses.

OPTION 2 : MAIL ORDER RECYCLING

    Several companies on the internet sell mail order recycling kits for fluorescent bulbs.  Kits consist of boxes or buckets with pre-paid return shipping for when the container is completely full. 

    CFL buckets typically hold 100 to 150 bulbs and cost between 75¢ and $1.50 per CFL.  Kits for 4 ft lamps hold from 10 to 150 per box, and cost ranges from $1.50 to $8.50 per lamp, dependant on quantity and diameter.  Kits for 8 ft lamps are also available.

    This option is best for businesses that generate a moderate to large quantity of spent bulbs and lamps.

    Retailers of recycling kits include:

    www.recyclekit.com                          www.bulbs.com

    www.nlrlamp.com                              www.lamptracker.com  www.crsrecycle.com  

    Mail order kits are also available for other "universal waste" materials such as batteries and mercury thermometers. 

  

OPTION 3 : ONSITE PICK UP

Clean Harbors, located in Syracuse, NY, will provide on site pick up of "universal waste" materials such as fluorescent bulbs, batteries, and mercury thermometers and switches.  Contact Clean Harbors at www.cleanharbors.com  Be prepared to report to them the quantities of the materials you have onsite to get a quote for on site pick up service. 

This option is best for businesses generating large quantities of spent bulbs and lamps and may combine pick up with other types of hazardous waste. 

 
 

For more information on

Fluorescent Bulbs and Lamps

visit:

EPA's Bulb Recycling

DEC's Hazardous Waste Lamp Management

Lamprecycle.org