Lamp Recycling Overview

Businesses purchase 85+% of the 865 million mercury-containing lamps annually in the US. Their rate of recycling is 30% and on the rise.

Recycling is the preferred method for disposal to keep mercury out of the air and excess materials out of the waste stream. 

While the US EPA defined mercury-containing lamps as "universal waste" in 1999, simplifying their disposal, several states have adopted more stringent regulations to ban lamps from landfills.



Ballast Disposal:

SYLVANIA encourages recycling to conserve and reuse natural resources, where possible and appropriate.  The disposal of PCB-containing ballasts is strictly controlled through the State and Local regulations. In addition, there may be Federal, State and/or Local regulations governing the disposal of non-PCB ballasts.

Since these regulations vary from State to State, please contact your State and Local Governmental agencies for specific guidance.

Environmental Benefits

865 million mercury-containing lamps are sold annually in the US. Businesses recycle close to 30% of them. Recycling is the preferred method for disposal to keep mercury out of the air. find out more 
US Lamp & Ballast Recycling
Stay in compliance with state and local recycling regulations by ordering pre-labeled recycling kits that make recycling simple.find out more 
US Universal Waste Rule
In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency added hazardous waste lamps to the federal list of universal wastes regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).find out more