Proper fluorescent bulb disposal, blog post, Lowe's Home Improvement, by Don Talend, brand storytelling, content marketing and demand generation expert. Construction industry

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Facility managers have to deal with fluorescent lamp disposal occasionally or—in the case of a full LED switch-out—on a mass scale. These lamps contain
mercury, which can evaporate in the event of breakage and become an invisible, odorless, toxic vapor. If inhaled at high levels, this vapor can harm the brain,
heart, kidneys, lungs and immune system.
As with any area of environmental compliance, you need to be aware of federal and state regulations that apply to your facility.
Know the rules
Under EPA regulations, used lighting products that contain mercury are classified as “universal waste” under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Subtitle C hazardous waste regulations. The majority of states adhere to the federal Universal Waste Rule, which carries a relatively low regulatory burden (and
lower costs) for storage, recordkeeping and transportation. The Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers lists state-by-state regulations.
Facility managers are considered “universal waste handlers” because they accumulate universal waste rather than process it. A Large Quantity Handler of
Universal Waste (more than 5,000 kg) must obtain an EPA ID, whereas a Small Quantity Handler of Universal Waste does not need to do so.
In nearly all cases, fluorescent lamps are considered hazardous waste and must be discarded at a lamp and mercury recycling “destination facility,” rather than
at a municipal solid waste landfill.
Facility managers also need to be aware of safe packaging options for storage and transportation.
Packaging should be designed to contain mercury
Facility managers might be tempted to store used lamps in a mechanical room, which is often located near HVAC equipment, without using packaging that
keeps mercury vapor from spreading. If and when breakage occurs, the residual heat accelerates mercury evaporation, and a forced-air system spreads the
vapor throughout the building.
It is impossible to prevent fluorescent lamps from breaking via cushioning methods, according to Brad Buscher, who invented a fluorescent lamp packaging,
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Facility manager best practices
A few facility managers shared additional best practices for safe fluorescent lamp disposal.
Bill Conley, facility manager for Yamaha Motor Corp., Cypress, California, works under Orange County’s stringent storage and disposal regulations. To adhere,
the company stores used lamps in a locked storage shed outside of the main facility.
Scott Jones, a maintenance supervisor for High Point, North Carolina-based Apartment Dynamics, oversees a 258-unit apartment complex owned by Floyd
Properties in Fayetteville and says his staff stores used lamps in a special warehouse area. Residents need to be told where to dispose of their used lamps, he
adds. “A lot of times, they might just throw them right in the trash can,” he says. “A complex needs to have a facility where the bulbs can be turned in for correct
disposal.”
Dennis Loor, regional maintenance director of California for Pinnacle, a commercial and multifamily residential property management company, says launching
a lamp recycling program when a residential property opens keeps these lamps out of landfills and reduces costs. “A key to a successful program is being
consistent and starting a program right away,” he says. “I’ve seen some developments where the bulbs accumulate and disposal becomes a cost factor.”
In the event of lamp breakage
Occasionally, a lamp may break prior to being securely packaged. EPA lists proper broken lamp cleanup procedures for this scenario.
Buscher says you must act more quickly when a lamp breaks on a wood floor versus a ceramic tile floor because the wood’s higher temperature accelerates
mercury conversion from a liquid to a gas. He also suggests wearing rubber gloves and using specialized mercury spill control products for cleanup.
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Construction journalist Don Talend has covered various industry sectors, including residential construction, for more than 20 years.
Be sure to join the Lowe’s ProServices LinkedIn Group to read additional content and interact with other Construction/Trade and MRO professionals.
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