All fluorescent and most high intensity discharge lamps contain mercury, a naturally occurring element in the environment. It is important that lamps and other products containing mercury be properly managed to protect human health and the environment.
In 2000, the US Environmental Protection Agency added hazardous waste lamps to the federal list of universal wastes regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Handlers of unversal wastes are subject to less stringent standards for collecting, storing, transporting, and record-keeping for these wastes. States are authorized to adopt this regulation or propose more stringent requirements, which several states have already done. The user has the primary responsibility for disposal.
Intended Outcomes
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Treat “spent” lamps as common, widely distributed items
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Make it easier to handle waste lamps, including allowing them to be shipped by ordinary truck transport, so they will get recycled
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Allow States to be stricter
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Assure that the entity with last possession—and who had the benefit of use– is responsible for disposal
Industry Impacts
Market/User Impacts
It has become difficult, especially for consumers, to throw away a light bulb. The recycling rate for businesses has increased dramatically – now at 30%. As recycling costs come down, more companies willingly budget for this cost as part of their own green awareness.
Lamp users must be aware of Federal and state hazardous and universal waste requirements for management of spent lamps. These requirements can differ depending on who generates the spent lamps, whether the lamp is a hazardous waste and which state the user is in.
The Association of Lamp and Mercury Recyclers have, in conjunction with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and the Solid Waste Association of North America, with funding from the US EPA, developed a Lamp Recycling Outreach Project that helps lamp users compare Federal regulations with state-specific requirements for management of spent lamps.