Fluorescent Bulbs

Region 5 Solid Waste Program

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Recycling

RCRA regulations prohibit the disposal of waste lamps and light bulbs in sanitary landfills if they contain levels of heavy metals (i.e., mercury) that exceed hazardous waste limits.

Generators must determine (either by using their knowledge of the waste or by testing) whether the bulbs exhibit any of the four characteristics of hazardous waste (40 CFR 261.20 thru 261.24). Fluorescent bulbs are unlikely to exhibit the hazardous characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, or reactivity. However, testing conducted for the U.S. EPA indicates that fluorescent bulbs usually exhibit the toxicity characteristic for mercury.

What You Can Do:

Generators of spent hazardous bulbs can choose to manage their bulbs as either hazardous waste or universal waste. The Universal Waste Standards (40 CFR Part 273) are management standards that are less stringent than hazardous waste requirements for large quantity generators - those producing more than 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) in any calendar month. Small quantity generators - those producing between 200 pounds and 2,200 pounds (100-1,000 kilograms) of hazardous waste per month may also find it advantageous to manage their waste as universal waste. Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators - those producing less than 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of hazardous waste per month may prefer to manage it as hazardous waste due to the minimal requirements associated with the smaller waste volumes. For specific RCRA generator requirements, refer to 40 CFR 261, 262 and 273.
If you have any questions concerning the RCRA regulations, contact the U.S. Environmental Protection National RCRA Hotline at 800/424-9346.

For More Information:

Many States have more stringent disposal requirements than the United States Environmental Protection Agency requirements summarized above. Generators are also required to meet applicable State requirements. Region 5 state contacts are:

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

Mark Crites (mailto:EPA4448@epa.state.il.us)
217/524-3269

Indiana Department of Environmental Quality

Dave Berrey (mailto:dberrey@dem.state.in.us)
317/308-3341

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Jack Schinderle (mailto:Schindej@michigan.gov)
517/373-8410

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Rocky Sisk (mailto:rocky.sisk@pca.state.mn.us)
651/296-9439

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Larry Benintend (mailto:larry.benintend@epa.state.oh.us)
614/644-2970

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Don Miller (mailto:MilleD@mail01.dnr.state.wi.us)
608/264-6015

The following links provide information on reducing and recycling fluorescent bulbs.