How to Develop a Management Strategy
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Fluorescent Bulbs
Conducting a workplace assessment for fluorescent bulb management
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Estimate how many lamps you generate from your building site(s) (based on the estimated square footage of your building.
The industry average for lamps per sq. ft. is one lamp per every three sq. ft. and the projected life of the standard fluorescent lamp is twenty thousand burn hours or just over two years--Source: OSRAM SYLVANIA |
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Explore your recycling options, mail-back, boxing, crusher (see information below). |
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Contact a lamp recovery firm to get estimates for cost of recovery. |
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Educate your maintenance staff about how to implement the management strategy. Inform them of the importance of recovering all light bulbs that have the symbol. Coordinate lamp storage, shipping or crushing logistics with appropriate staff (building engineer, maintenance workers, custodial staff, etc). |
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Kick-off the management program with an informational meeting with participants to recruit their support. |
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Periodically review the program to evaluate its effectiveness and to make improvements. |
What options exist for lamp collection and recovery?
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If your building generates only small amounts of used fluorescent bulbs, recycling can be facilitated through a “box program.” In this type of program, a container is provided to the owner/manager who fills it with used fluorescent bulbs. When the container is full, it can be sent to any recycler via a prepaid ground mail shipment program. Labels and shipping papers are provided to the building owner/manager by the recycling company. |
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If your building generates large amounts of used fluorescent bulbs, recyclers can arrange “milk-run” pick-ups. Used lamps are picked up by a vendor on a scheduled basis and transported to a certified reclamation/recycling facility. |
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If your building generates very large amounts of used fluorescent bulbs, these can be picked up in trailer loads as needed. |
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How much will it cost to recycle my fluorescent bulbs?
Recycling costs vary, depending on the type of lamp, quantities and whether transportation is included. It is best to seek out at least three quotes. The following price ranges are typical:
Type of Bulb |
Cost Range |
Tubes |
4¢ - 12¢ per linear foot |
HIDs |
$1.50 - 2.00 |
Compact Fluorescent Lights |
50¢ - $1.00 |
PCB ballasts |
32¢ - 90¢ per pound |
Non-PCB ballasts |
10¢ - 55¢ per pound |
In addition, there may be a charge for pick up, transport or mailing. Check with your recycling vendor.
How do I select a recycling contractor?
In selecting a recycling contractor that will best serve your needs you also must get the assurance that your waste lamps are properly managed to minimize your liabilities. State and federal regulations hold the generator of the used fluorescent bulbs liable for the proper reclamation/recycling. Be sure to choose a reputable firm to assist you in implementing your management program.
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Pricing - While pricing is important, as with many services, you usually get what you pay for. It is suggested that you scrutinize what services your prospective contractor is offering and to get more than one quote for your needs. |
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Service - Important items for consideration include: responsiveness, timeliness, program flexibility and customization, contractor personnel, whether there will be intermediaries involved, the capabilities of the firm, and the equipment they will be using. |
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Risk Management - Recyclers, as Destination Facilities, are obligated to reduce or eliminate pollution risks for their clients. In order to remove the mercury from the used bulbs, recyclers must comply with numerous federal and state regulations. Important factors for evaluating recyclers include: |
1) whether they meet insurance requirements for general and pollution liability;
2) the financial health of the company;
3) what indemnities or other assurances they offer clients;
4) their environmental record and compliance history;
5) the existence of government permits and approvals for facility operation or transportation;
6) operations and safety procedures and records;
7) vapor control technology and monitoring records;
8) hygiene and medical surveillance information;
9) the status of a facility closure plan;
10) facility audit reports; and
11) the availability of key regulatory contacts.
For links to resources, go here.
Back to Top How do I manage and store used bulbs at my building while waiting to recycle?
Used bulbs can be stored for up to one year at the location in which they were used. Save money and prevent breakage by storing and packing lamps safely. Have those persons responsible for managing your fluorescent bulbs adhere to the following general guidelines:
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Put used bulbs in original cartons or those provided by a recycler with no packing material included inside. |
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Do not tape bulbs together |
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Store used bulb cartons in a dry place, avoid stacking cartons. |
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If stacking is unavoidable, place cartons neatly on pallets and shrink-wrap to prevent cartons from falling. |
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Avoid breaking lamps |
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If a lamp breaks, follow the guidelines set forth under How to clean up a broken lamp |
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Label the boxes with the accumulation start date. |
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Call a recycling vendor |
What about bulb crushing?
Crushing fluorescent bulbs creates mercury vapor that is difficult to contain. Keeping lamps intact until they reach a qualified recycler is the surest method to prevent mercury exposure. Crushing lamps on-site in Virginia is permissible under state regulations. There are a number of private companies that produce and maintain drum top bulb crushing equipment. For more information on the regulations that apply to on-site bulb crushing, consult the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality at: www.deq.state.va.us/waste
What do I do if a lamp breaks?
If a lamp breaks, close off the room to other parts of the building. Open a window to disperse any vapor that may escape, and leave the room for at least 15 minutes. Carefully scoop up the fragments with a stiff paper (do not use your hands) and wipe the area with a disposable paper towel to remove all glass fragments. Do not use a vacuum as this disperses the mercury over a wider area. All fragments should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and properly disposed of. No adverse effects are expected from occasional exposure to broken lamps.
If a lamp breaks on carpet, first remove all materials you can without using a vacuumn cleaner, following the instructions above. Sticky tape (i.e. duct tape) can pick up small pieces and powder. If you must vacuum, after doing so, remove vacuum bag or wipe out the cannister, and put bag or vacuum debris in two sealed plastic bags in an outdoor trash container or a protected outdoor location. Wash your hands. (Source: EnergyStar, USEPA)
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Rechargeable Batteries
Conducting a workplace assessment for rechargeable battery management
The safe storage and management of rechargeable batteries is important to minimize the risk of contamination in your workplace.
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) provides some very good advice and provides guidelines to ensure the safe storage and management of batteries at the workplace. For more information on safety procedures and the proper storage and shipping of your batteries visit: www.rbrc.org/community/disposal.html#storage
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Survey how many items your business uses that require rechargeable batteries. If you have an equipment change-out planned, include that in your estimate. |
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Explore your recycling options. For more information on safety procedures and the proper storage and shipping of your rechargeable batteries, visit the Rechargeable Batteries Links Page of this website. |
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Educate your maintenance and technical staff about how to implement the management strategy. Inform them of the importance of recovering all batteries. Coordinate storage, packaging, and shipping logistics with appropriate staff (building engineers, information technology or audio-visual specialists, maintenance workers, custodial staff, etc.). |
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Kick-off the management program with an informational meeting with participants to recruit their support. |
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Periodically review the program to evaluate its effectiveness and to make improvements. |
Electronic Equipment
Conducting a workplace assessment for electronics equipment management
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Survey the electronic equipment that your business uses. If you have an equipment change-out planned, include that in your estimate. |
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Explore your recycling options. For more information on safety procedures and the proper storage and shipping of your electronics equipment, visit the Electronic Equipment Links Page of this website. |
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Educate your maintenance and technical staff about how to implement the management strategy. Inform them of the importance of recovering electronics. Coordinate storage, packaging, and shipping logistics with appropriate staff (building engineers, information technology or audio-visual specialists, maintenance workers, custodial staff, etc.). |
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Kick-off the management program with an informational meeting with participants to recruit their support. |
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Periodically review the program to evaluate its effectiveness and to make improvements. |
Best Practices
Case Studies
City of Falls Church
Raytheon Company
Fairfax County and the Fairfax County Public Schools
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Toxics 