In May of 2003, OSRAM SYLVANIA activated a toll-free number 866-666-6850 as part of the National Electrical Manufacturers  Association (NEMA) labeling initiative. The purpose of this labeling initiative is to guide users of lighting products---via Internet or telephone—to appropriate contacts regarding disposal of spent mercury-containing lamps (fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and most HID).  The nationwide labeling program is essentially an extension of a Vermont law enacted in 1998 that required all mercury-containing products to include the warning and direct consumers to recycle or dispose of the products at hazardous waste sites. 

Since November 30, 2003, all mercury-containing lamps manufactured by OSRAM  SYLVANIA have been labeled as follows:

Labeling information is essentially consistent among NEMA lamp manufacturers, but the toll-free number is manufacturer-specific. Labels appear on the innermost packages of mercury-containing lamps, the outer cartons, or both.  However, for Display-Optic and some other specialized lamp types, labeling is included in the stuffer. For users without direct Internet access, the toll-free number will be an important link to updated information.

Dialing 866-666-6850 activates the following automated message:

Thank you for calling OSRAM SYLVANIA. For lamp disposal information in your state, 

please visit http://www.lamprecycle.org/, or enter your two-character state abbreviation on  

your touch-tone telephone now. For rotary dialers, please remain on the line for  

assistance.

After entering a state abbreviation, the caller is twice informed of the name of the  appropriate state agency and the phone number to call for up-to-date disposal  

information. A further announcement will be made when Canadian information is  

included in the Web site and the above toll-free number is activated in Canada.