Fluorescent Lamps, Tire Fees, SCAQMD Requirements, etc., November 2000

Bright Idea?

You cannot dump your fluorescent lamps into the dumpster any more!  The US EPA has made changes to waste rules applying to spent mercury-containing light bulbs that requires recycling of these lamps and prohibit landfill disposal.

The rule has been adopted to reduce the disposal of mercury containing wastes into landfills.  Mercury is a toxic pollutant that accumulates in our body, especially for children who are at a high risk as they absorb more mercury as a percentage of their body weight.  Examples of wastes that are being regulated under this new rule are fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, metal halide, thermostat (with metallic mercury in an ampoule), batteries (non-automotive), and lamp ballasts.

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