Top Ten Lamp Recycling Questions
Why do we recycle lamps? They contain mercury which is a highly toxic heavy metal that when put into landfills will leach into the ground water and contaminate our streams, rivers lakes, and drinking water. 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury can contaminate a 25-acre lake to the point that the fish in it are unsafe to eat for 50 years. Over one billion lamps are disposed of each year in the US.
Who has to recycle? Under the EPA Universal Waste Rule (UWR June 1999) any business that disposes of lamps must dispose of them properly. But, under no circumstances are you allowed to discard these hazardous waste lamps into the trash or a landfill.
Who enforces the rules? Both state and federal authorities. The Federal rule is enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA can impose fines of up to $25,000 per violation, per day. What is happening is that state environmental officers or EPA will visit a facility to conduct an environmental audit and will ask how long the facility has been operating, and want to see certificates of recycle for the lamps that have burned out over the years.
How long can you store lamps? You may store lamps for up to one year before sending to a recycler (unless large quantities). You are required to put an accumulation start date on the containers to verify when you began to store them. You should not mix different types of lamps together and always keep a count on the quantity of lamps in each box.
How do you actually store the lamps? The easiest way is to simply put the old lamps back in the new lamp boxes. Throw away all the eggshell dividers and packaging stuff and fill the lamp box completely up. Tape the boxes shut in case a lamp gets broken it will stay sealed in the box.
Who is certified to recycle? HTR is a Certified Resource Recovery Facility, which means we recycle everything. There are other recyclers/brokers, but they do not have a certified facility, pollution liability insurance, their own fleet of Hazmat trucks, and landfill their glass and byproducts. HTR is 100% recycle and does not landfill anything.
Certificate of Recycle? After HTR receives the lamps for recycling each generator will receive a Certificate of Recycle for their files to document proper disposal. HTR also maintains long-term record keeping as backup for customers.
How does HTR recycle the lamps? At the industries largest and most modern recycling facility in Lake Ozark, MO. HTR utilizes dual LSS1 state of the art computerized recycling machines that separates all of the components: glass, aluminum end caps, and mercury phosphor powder. The mercury phosphor powder is then retorted in-house and the mercury extracted out. Then all of the byproducts are distributed back into industry for reuse, even the cardboard boxes are recycled.
Cost to Recycle? NEMA (National Electrical Manufactures Association) says about $60.00 to install and operate a 4’ fluorescent lamp for its lifetime. You pay about $1.00 for the lamp, about $4.00 in labor to install it, about $54.00 in electricity to power it and less than .25 cents to dispose of it properly. (pricing varies depending on quantity).
How do we get started? HTR will handle all of your recycling for lamps, ballasts, batteries, and computers. Simply call our toll free number (1-888-537-4874) or email sales@htr-group.com with your lamp quantities and arrange for us to pick-up your lamps.