Hazmat and Lamps Recycling

Hazardous waste lamps are added to the federal list of universal wastes regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Regulating these lamps as a universal waste under 40 CFR Part 273 provides better management of them and facilitates compliance with RCRA hazardous waste requirements. This rule also makes the federal requirements for this waste more consistent with many state programs.

Spent fluorescent and HID lamps containing any amount of mercury have been banned from solid waste incineration since July 1, 1994, in any quantity. Since most of these types of lamps contain hazardous levels of mercury, they should not be disposed of at solid waste landfills in Florida if more than 10 lamps per month are generated by a business from any one location.

Ballasts containing PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) cannot be disposed of in Florida. Ballasts and capacitors must be sent to a processor for removal of PCB components and disposal at approved facilities outside of Florida. Non-PCB components may be managed and recycled in Florida.

About 25% of non-PCB ballasts contain DEHP (di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate) which is classified by EPA as a hazardous substance. The Department recommends the recycling of all discarded light ballasts, including electronic ballasts.

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Mercury-Containing Lamps and Devices:

• Straight fluorescent lamps up to 8 feet
• U-Tube and UV Lamps
• HID-High Intensity Discharge and HPS-High Pressure Sodium Lamps
• CFL-Compact Fluorescent Lamps, as well as Circular Fluorescents
• Shattershield ­ Shielded or Plastic Coated Lamps
• Ballasts and Capacitors ­ PCB and non-PCB ­ Large and Small
• Industrial and Consumer Batteries
• Alkaline (A3, AZ, C+D)
• Lead Acid ­ Wet and Dry
• Lithium and Lithium-Ion
• Nickel Cadmium and Nickel Metal Hydride
• Silver Zinc
• Mercury and Mercury Containing Devices