Recycling Mercury-Containing Light Bulbs (Lamps)
Types of Universal Waste
Related Information
- Fluorescent Lamp Recycling (February 2009; EPA530-R-09-001; PDF) (30 pp, 234K)
- 2006 Mercury Lamp Drum-Top Crusher Study
- Treatment Standards for Mercury-Containing Debris Find out if EPA also considers your mercury-containing waste to be contaminated debris, which is subject to separate treatment standards.
- Mercury
- Energy Star energy-efficient lighting
- Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (ALMR)
- Lamprecycle.org
Information for Businesses (Universal Waste Handlers)
Management and disposal by businesses of fluorescent light bulbs and other mercury-containing bulbs are regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Universal Waste Rule (UWR) and Subtitle C hazardous waste regulations. On this site, you can:
- Learn how to establish a recycling program for mercury-containing bulbs
- View questions and answers about regulations that affect the management and disposal of these bulbs
- Review the text of the laws, regulation and guidance that govern how these bulbs are regulated under RCRA.
- Read basic information about the importance of recycling these bulbs and why EPA encourages their use, and about lamp crushing
- Learn about EPAs National Lamp Recycling Outreach Program which in the mid-2000s awarded cooperative agreements to state agencies, non-governmental organizations, tribes, universities and other organizations to promote recycling of these bulbs
- Proper maintenance, removal, and disposal of PCB-containing fluorescent light ballasts