Trashing Lamps Illegal?

[drewpoleon]

I read recently that EPA law requires businesses to recycle fluorescent lamps because of mercury content. For some reason this topic doesn't come up often in the tanning industry but seems to be an important issue.

Does anyone currently recycle their spent lamps? How?

I found a good site with more info for those interested: www.lamprecycling.com

-Drewpoleon

[esun]

Your town or city may have a hazardous waste day and that is when you should get rid of them . In my town they ask for a small fee, I think 25cents per lamp. Or you can put them in the paper and try to sell them to home bed owners. usually even with the amount of use you put on them , it is still less than what they have. Maybe you can charge a buck or 2 per lamp. just an idea. BTW, I believe ALL floresant lamps have mercury in them , not just tanning lamps.

[blondjuls]

www.lamprecycle.org

Based on EPA Guidelines, the amount of disposable waste determines whether it falls under the Hazardous Waste regulations.

However, even though waste lamps
are considered solid and hazardous
wastes if they exhibit hazardous waste
characteristics, not all generators of
these spent lamps have had to manage
the lamps as hazardous waste. Under
RCRA Subtitle C, there are different
requirements for generators of
hazardous waste depending on the
amount of hazardous waste generated in
a calendar month. Conditionally-exempt
small quantity generators (CESQGs) (i.e.,
generators of less than 100 kilograms of
hazardous waste in a calendar month)
are not subject to RCRA Subtitle C
hazardous waste management standards
and may choose to send their wastes to
a municipal solid waste landfill or other
facility approved by a state for the
management of industrial or municipal
non-hazardous wastes (40 CFR 261.5).
Generators of more than 100 kilograms
and less than 1,000 kilograms in a
calendar month are subject to the RCRA
hazardous waste management
standards, but are allowed to comply
with certain reduced regulatory
requirements (40 CFR 262.34).
Generators of more than 1,000 kilograms
of hazardous waste in a calendar month
are required to comply fully with
federal hazardous waste regulations.
Household generators of waste lamps
may be exempt from hazardous waste
management requirements under 40
CFR 261.4(b)(1). Also, several states
already regulate waste lamps as
universal wastes under their authorized

state hazardous waste programs.


Keep in mind 100 kilograms = 220.4642 lbs and 1000 kilograms = 2204.642 lbs.

So as I read the EPA regulations, you probably don't fall into that category. But you still have to check with state or local requirements as per the EPA.

[Alan @ TanToday]

The sure do sound pretty nice busting in a dumpster. LOL!

You guys know what I am talking about. The white powder dust only burns for a few seconds after you breathe it.

Who has used them for Star Wars light saber fights? I know I was not the only one.