How To Dispose Of Fluorescent Light Bulbs Nyc

Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.

How to dispose of fluorescent light bulbs nyc. In some areas it s actually illegal to dispose of fluorescent tubes in the trash so be sure to follow the proper steps in recycling your fluorescent tubes to avoid breaking the law or damaging people s health. New york fluorescent bulb recycling regulations select another state. Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling. Of environmental conservation for businesses and organizations that discard more than 15 lamps per month.

When broken incinerated or buried in a landfill they release mercury into the air water and soil and endanger human health and the environment. Due to mercury concerns recycling fluorescent bulbs is required by law by the new york dept. Federal law brought production of traditional incandescent light bulbs to an end in 2014. Recommendations on reducing mercury pollution in new york state will be made by an advisory committee appointed by the governor and the state legislature.

Dave lake of colerain township has been replacing his unattractive fluorescent light bulbs in his home with new led bulbs. Fluorescent and hid 1 lamps contain mercury. Recycling cfls and other fluorescent bulbs allows reuse of the glass metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lamps from households and small businesses 100 or less employees and discarding 15 or less waste lamps per month are exempt from these disposal restrictions.

These light bulbs do not contain mercury and should be discarded in your regular trash receptacle. Fluorescent tubes serve as an energy efficient alternative to incandescent light bulbs but they contain low levels of toxic mercury which can be released into the air or water if the tubes are broken. Fluorescent lamp recyclers the following is a list of fluorescent lamp recyclers that new york state department of environmental conservation nysdec maintains for the purpose of public education. The mercury inside fluorescent tube lights is hazardous so extra care should be taken to ensure that this material doesn t leak.

Disposal options for fluorescent and hid lamps in new york state. How to dispose of cfl and fluorescent light bulbs unlike incandescent bulbs cfl compact fluorescent light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury about 4 milligrams of the toxic metal. That can lead to short term health risk for exposed individuals and lasting environmental damage to soil and water.