Recycling Vs. Landfills

Recycling mercury-containing lights, such as fluorescent lamps and CFLs, provides many health, safety and environmental advantages. The main advantage of recycling used energy-efficient lights is in preventing mercury from entering the solid waste steam—where a portion of it is likely to be released into the environment. Another advantage is from the reuse of certain raw materials from mercury-containing lamps, including the mercury itself. Although the initial cost for recycling is higher than disposal to landfills, the cost is typically less than 1% of the electric savings allotted from the reduced energy use fluorescent lamps provide over traditional incandescent lights.

Many consumers dispose of used fluorescent lamps in dumpsters, which eventually end up in landfills, where they may emit hazardous mercury vapor into the environment. A study of exposure to broken low-mercury lamps by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection entitled, "Release of Mercury from Broken Fluorescent Bulbs" demonstrated that "elevated airborne levels of mercury could exist in the vicinity of recently broken lamps, and "could exceed occupational exposure limits." Collectively, the total amount of mercury released from lamp breakage adds to the overall mercury pollution in the United States, increasing health and safety hazards for consumers and waste handlers. Increased lamp recycling is recommended to further reduce mercury pollution.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Why is it Important to Recycle Used Fluorescent Lamps?

According to EPA estimates, only 20% to 25% of used fluorescent lamps are recycled, These lamps are commonly sent to a recycler in bulk or in pre-paid shipping recycling boxes. The 75% to 80% of fluorescent lamps that are not recycled usually end up in dumpsters or trash containers and, ultimately, in landfills. One study indicates dumpsters that contain broken fluorescent lamps “strongly and persistently” emit mercury.(1) Another study on mercury release from broken fluorescent lamps found that between 17% to 40% of the mercury in broken low-mercury fluorescent lamps is released to the air during the two-week period after breakage.(2) Of this mercury, one-third of the release takes place during the first eight hours following breakage, potentially exposing personnel in the vicinity to unsafe levels of mercury vapor. Using this estimated release rate and an estimated 620 million lamps discarded annually in the United States, broken used fluorescent lamps release approximately two to four tons of mercury each year into the environment.

Used fluorescent lamps need to be properly handled during shipping and recycling. Safe packaging reduces the threat of mercury vapor emitted from broken lamps.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

How Can You Easily Recycle Used Fluorescent Bulbs?

Products containing mercury, including fluorescent lamps, need to be handled and recycled properly to effectively contain and prevent mercury vapor from releasing into the environment. Mercury-containing waste that isn't properly recycled poses a serious environmental and health concern and can be regulated more stringently.

Fluorescent lamps can easily be recycled or disposed if burned out. Available recycling methods include:

• Use Mercury VaporLok® Bags for safely accumulating spent fluorescent lamps for recycling.
• Waste Management LampTracker®: The prepaid program includes recycling containers, shipping both ways via UPS or FedEx ground, recycling of the wastes and complete online documentation of every container ordered and recycled.
• State Collection Sites: Check with you local and/or state regulators and use Earth911.com to find a drop-off near you. Also note that many National retailers accept spent lamps for recycling.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

How To Minimize Health & Safety Risks of Used Fluorescent Lamps: Handling

Following the proper clean-up and disposal policies is necessary in ensuring the safety of people who handle fluorescent lamps, as well as those in close proximity to them. However, proper disposal of used lamps is not as simple as dropping them in a recycling bin. Lamps must be carefully removed and handled, as well as stored and transported in a package proven to contain mercury vapor. Specific precautions should be taken during each of the following steps: Handling, Storage, Transport, Recycling and Breakage.

Handling:

Mercury vapor—which can get into water, contaminating fish and entering the human food chain—can cause neurological damage to adults, children and fetuses. To avoid these issues, lamps should be carefully installed and uninstalled by maintenance professionals. Anyone handling a fluorescent bulb should take caution, as these lamps are fragile and can shatter easily.

Find out next week how to carefully store fluorescent lamps.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Where do Fluorescent Lamps Go After They are Recycled?

Recycled lamps are sent to a recycling facility via truck, UPS or FedEx® in bulk or in pre-paid shipping recycling boxes, such as the Waste Management® LampTracker® system, which is specifically designed to accommodate various sized lamps and effectively contain mercury vapor emitted from broken lamps.

Once received, the recycler crushes the lamps, along with other contaminated products, devices and debris, to safely exhaust the mercury vapor and extract and reuse the resultant mercury—ensuring mercury is not released into the environment. The remaining debris is then placed in 55-gallon drums and sent to a retort facility—where the drums are heated to high temperatures to eliminate any remaining mercury. Any remaining glass and aluminum is furthered recycled and reused.

This process reduces the potential dangers of mercury vapor emitted from used fluorescent lamps—effectively reducing environmental liability and protecting both handlers and consumers from potential safety hazards and health risks.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

How Many Fluorescent Lamps are Recycled?

According to the EPA, recycling rates of fluorescent lamps are estimated at only 20 to 25 percent, leaving the majority to be placed in dumpsters and eventually end up in landfills—where they may emit hazardous mercury vapor into the environment. The consumer recycling rate has been estimated to be even lower—possibly at less than 2 percent.

Mercury-containing waste that isn’t properly recycled poses a serious environmental and health concern. However, taking waste to a recycling center may not always be the most efficient solution. Consumers can use a recycling box to ship bulbs instead. If consumers choose this option, it is important to select a packaging configuration that effectively contains mercury vapor. A recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota tested the effectiveness of various packages in containing mercury vapor emitted from broken fluorescent lamps. The study found that many packages do not sufficiently contain mercury vapor, such as single-layer cardboard boxes (representing the original manufacturer’s box or container) as well as single layer boxes with a sealed plastic bag. Just one configuration—consisting of a zip-closure plastic-foil laminate bag layered between two cardboard boxes—minimized exposure levels below acceptable occupational limits, as defined by state and federal regulations and guidelines. Find out more about this proven packaging method at: http://vaporlok.blogspot.com/2010/05/layers-of-protection-packaging-used.html. If a bulb breaks, consumers can learn more about clean-up procedures here: http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup-detailed.html

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Recycling Fluorescent Lamps: What Happens After You’ve Disposed of Them?

Recycled lamps are sent to a recycling facility via truck, UPS or FedEx® in bulk or in pre-paid shipping recycling boxes, such as the Waste Management® LampTracker® system, which is specifically designed to accommodate various sized lamps and effectively contain mercury vapor emitted from broken lamps.

Once received, the recycler crushes the lamps, along with other contaminated products, devices and debris, to safely exhaust the mercury vapor and extract and reuse the resultant mercury—ensuring mercury is not released into the environment. The remaining debris is then placed in 55-gallon drums and sent to a retort facility—where the drums are heated to high temperatures to eliminate any remaining mercury. Any remaining glass and aluminum is furthered recycled and reused.

This process reduces the potential dangers of mercury vapor emitted from used fluorescent lamps—effectively reducing environmental liability and protecting both handlers and consumers from potential safety hazards and health risks.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Why Should You Make the Switch?

Fluorescent lamps and CFLs are four to six times more efficient than their incandescent counterparts and emit about the same amount of visible light, all while offering longer working life and saving significant energy costs. Further, energy-efficient lighting is one of the lowest-cost ways for the nation to reduce electricity use and greenhouse gases. Although incandescent light bulbs may seem like the cheaper option at the counter, consumers will actually save money on CFLs in the long run. While a CFL may cost about $2.00 per bulb, compared to about $0.50 cents for an incandescent bulb, a CFL lasts an estimated 8 to 15 times as long as an incandescent.

However, CFLs and fluorescent lamps also contain hazardous mercury vapor, which is emitted when these fragile bulbs break. If not carefully handled and disposed of, mercury vapor can cause significant health and safety issues, as well as environmental concerns. It is important to always recycle used or broken bulbs.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Mercury and Fluorescent Lamps

While the amount of mercury used in an individual fluorescent bulb has decreased over the past years, one broken 4-foot fluorescent lamp in a small room or vehicle can release enough mercury vapor to exceed the OSHA mercury exposure 8-hour limit—posing a significant occupational health risk. Plus, mercury vapor can be emitted for weeks after a single bulb is broken.

In their lifetime, fragile fluorescent lamps are handled by manufacturers, transporters, distributors, retailers, consumers and installers, as well as recycling or waste handlers. Although the lamps could break anywhere down this line and expose workers and the environment to hazardous mercury vapors, there are no universally enforced packaging standards designed to protect these people. Currently, only one package design, which includes a vapor resistant and zip seal bag, has proven effective in containing mercury vapor.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Fluorescent Lamp Recycling – Not a Common Act for Consumers

With incandescent lamps out and energy-efficient fluorescent lamps and CFLs in, it is important for consumers to understand all factors of using them; from the initial purchase to proper disposal procedures. Fluorescent lamps and CFLs are a more sustainable lighting option, providing four to six times more efficiency than their incandescent counterparts and emitting about the same amount of visible light, all while offering longer working life and saving significant energy costs. Although incandescent light bulbs may seem like the cheaper option at the counter, consumers will actually save money on CFLs in the long run since they last an estimated 8 to 15 times as long as an incandescent.

When it comes to proper disposal, we are falling short. The EPA estimates recycling rates of fluorescent lamps at only 20 to 25 percent, leaving the majority to be placed in dumpsters and eventually end up in landfills. The consumer recycling rate has been estimated to be even lower—possibly at less than 2 percent. Due to their mercury content, this is a serious concern for the health of not only our environment but also for ourselves.

To learn about recycling options, read our post: How Can You Easily Recycle Used Fluorescent Bulbs?

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

New Hybrid Light Bulb Features Incandescent Bulb Shape but Still Requires Careful Handling and Proper Disposal

General Electric's new hybrid halogen-compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs look like a spiral frosted CFL light bulb snugly fit inside a clear glass bulb shaped like a typical incandescent light bulb. Another feature that will appeal to consumers is the light bulb’s capability to light up quicker than many traditional CFLs. When switched on, the hybrid bulb's halogen portion lights up within a half-second. Then once the CFL portion has warmed and brightened to full luminescence, the halogen portion turns itself off.

GE has also claimed that each hybrid bulb only contains one milligram of mercury, which is a significant difference compared to the four milligrams of mercury in the average CFL light bulb. However, less mercury does not indicate that consumers should neglect to handle fluorescent and CFL light bulbs with care. Furthermore, these bulbs need to be properly packaged and recycled when broken or burned out. Mercury-containing waste that isn’t properly recycled poses a serious environmental and health concern. Safe packaging reduces the threat of mercury vapor emitted from broken lamps.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Recycling Fluorescent Lamps

The EPA estimates recycling rates of fluorescent lamps at only 20 to 25 percent, leaving the majority to be placed in dumpsters and eventually end up in landfills—where they may emit hazardous mercury vapor into the environment. The consumer recycling rate has been estimated to be even lower—possibly at less than 2 percent.

According to one study, mercury air emissions could be lowered by 30 percent if recycling rates are increased to 50 percent and improvements in handling are made to lower losses from breakage. (1) Consumers can choose to recycle used lamps in several different ways. Lamps can be sent to a recycling facility via truck, UPS or FedEx® in bulk or through pre-paid shipping recycling box programs—which provide simple online ordering, tracking and compliance documentation for the proper management of mercury-containing items and other types of Universal Waste.

Mercury-containing waste that isn’t properly recycled poses a serious environmental and health concern. Safe recycling facilities exist, but should be encouraged by new rules and regulations. New legislation should also ensure that used fluorescent lamps are packaged in configurations proven to effectively contain mercury vapor emitted from broken lamps.

Reference:
1. 3. Cain, A.; Disch, S.; Twaroski, C.; Reindl, J.; Case, C.R. Substance Flow Analysis of Mercury Intentionally Used in Products in the United States; J. Ind. Ecol. 2007, 11, 61-75.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Three Layers For a Safe Package

According to a recent study conducted at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health, most containers used for storage and transportation of used fluorescent lamps to recycling centers do not sufficiently prevent the release of mercury vapor from broken lamps.(1) The results show that a double-box design with a foil-plastic laminate bag with a zip closure bag positioned between the two cardboard layers minimized airborne mercury vapor levels below all current federal and state workplace exposure regulations and guidelines.

Researchers concluded that each of the three layers performs a specific function. The inner cardboard layer prevents the broken glass from puncturing the bag, which contains the vapor. The outer box serves as a protective layer for all contents and also provides structure to the configuration. Packages must contain all three of the layers described above to effectively contain harmful mercury vapor emissions.

REFERENCE
1. Glenz, Tracy T., Lisa M. Brosseau and Richard W. Hoffbeck. “Preventing Mercury Vapor Release from Broken Fluorescent Lamps during Shipping.” Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 59 (2009), 266-72.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Additional State Regulations

While the federal government doesn't require recycling of all fluorescent lighting, several states have addressed this health issue with their own, more specific regulations regarding fluorescent lamp disposal. Minnesota, Massachusetts, California and Vermont are among states that prohibit disposal of all mercury-product waste in landfills. New York has a similar ban, with an exemption for households and businesses with 100 or less employees disposing of 15 or less non-hazardous waste lamps per month. Many other states prohibit non-household generators from disposing of any mercury containing fluorescent lamps in solid waste landfills regardless of TCLP test results, including Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Florida and Rhode Island.

Peder Larson
Attorney
Larkin Hoffman

Mercury Waste Regulations: Protecting People, the Environment and Your Companies Best Interests

Not only is mercury a threat to our quality of life when it is not properly recycled, it can also be a significant threat to the overall health of businesses. Local and state environmental regulations and EPA enforcement of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), regulate the generation, treatment, storage, handling, clean-up, transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes, including products which contain mercury. Mercury-containing lamps, batteries, and medical and electrical equipment and devices are regulated as Universal Wastes.

If mercury-containing products are improperly recycled, companies may be at risk of severe financial penalties, criminal prosecution and long-term liability. Find out more at these United States Environmental Protection Agency Sites:

Federal Mercury Regulations

State Mercury Legislation and Regulations

State Universal Waste Regulations

Federal Universal Waste Regulations

State Mercury Medical & Dental Waste Programs

1997 Mercury Report to Congress

Peder Larson
Attorney
Larkin Hoffman

How Much Mercury Do Fluorescent Lamps Really Contain?

While the amount of mercury used in an individual fluorescent bulb has decreased over the past years, one broken 4-foot fluorescent lamp in a small room or vehicle can release enough mercury vapor to exceed the OSHA mercury exposure 8-hour limit—posing a significant occupational health risk. Plus, mercury vapor can be emitted for weeks after a single bulb is broken.

In their lifetime, fragile fluorescent lamps are handled by manufacturers, transporters, distributors, retailers, consumers and installers, as well as recycling or waste handlers. Although the lamps could break anywhere down this line and expose workers and the environment to hazardous mercury vapors, there are no universally enforced packaging standards designed to protect these people.

While some steps have been taken to encourage safe recycling and disposal of fluorescent lamps, this fact remains: although a variety of containers are marketed for transportation of fluorescent lamps, many don't provide necessary levels of protection against mercury vapor in the occurrence of breakage. Using a proven packaging design with a vapor resistant lining is vital to ensuring the safety of persons who work with or near fluorescent bulbs, as well as for protecting the surrounding environment, especially as fluorescent lighting continues to grow in popularity and practicality. Currently, only one package design, which includes a vapor resistant and zip seal bag, has proven effective in containing mercury vapor.


Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Turning off the switch on incandescent lights

Fluorescent lamps are four to six times more efficient than their incandescent counterparts and emit about the same amount of visible light, all while offering longer working life and saving significant energy costs. Their use will be significantly increased as well by 2013, when the manufacture of incandescent lamps is slated to cease by an Act of Congress and will therefore be replaced by compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and other fluorescents.

Using more efficient lighting options, such as CFLs and other fluorescent lamps, is one of the lowest-cost ways for the nation to reduce electricity use and greenhouse gases. Although incandescent light bulbs may seem like the cheaper option at the counter, consumers will actually save money on CFLs in the long run. While a CFL may cost about $2.00 per bulb, compared to about $0.50 cents for an incandescent bulb, a CFL is four to six times more efficient than an incandescent and lasts an estimated 8 to 15 times as long as an incandescent.

Although CFLs contain small quantities of mercury—which can cause environmental, safety and health consequences—incandescent bulbs actually result in more mercury pollution. While incandescents do not contain mercury, they still contribute to its release into the environment. Because burning coal to generate electricity releases mercury into the air and incandescent bulbs use more electricity over their lifetimes, they are responsible for more energy consumption and ultimately more mercury emissions than CFLs.

The switch from an incandescent bulb to a more efficient CFL results not only in energy and cost savings, but also in less overall mercury pollution. However, CFLs and other mercury-containing lamps emit mercury vapor when broken, and most shipping packages currently in use do not contain this vapor. They need to be properly stored and transported to recycling facilities in packaging proven to contain mercury vapor emissions. Only then do CFLs result in a truly green lighting solution. Currently, only one package design, which includes a vapor resistant and zip seal bag, has proven effective in containing mercury vapor.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Shipping mercury wastes to Canada

A significant volume of mercury-containing waste in the U.S. is finding its way into Canadian landfills because some treatment standards, recovery requirements and enforcement of those standards are less stringent than in the U.S. U.S. federal regulations require that hazardous wastes including mercury be treated using “Best Demonstrated Available Technology” which requires high temperature retorting. According to one report, if exports to Canada continue, U.S.-based mercury recycling facilities will be undermined. Likewise, investments in the best available technology will be punished instead of rewarded.1

Uniform national policies in both the U.S. and Canada that prohibits land disposal would help eliminate confusion from the disparate policies. Infrastructure and recycling capacity already exist, but as long as exemptions and low enforcement remain, and recycling remains optional, increasing the rate will continue to be a struggle. Suffice it to say, U.S. and Canadian mercury recycling laws are in need of a major overhaul to protect the environment in the years to come.

1. Fortuna, Richard C. Export of Recyclable Mercury Related Wastes to Canada for Landfilling and Barriers to Mercury Recycling in the U.S. Strategic Environmental Analysis, L.C. 2004. 3.

Peder Larson
Attorney
Larkin Hoffman

Journey of Recycled Lamps

Recycled lamps are sent to a recycling facility via truck, UPS or FedEx® in bulk or in pre-paid shipping recycling boxes, such as the Waste Management® LampTracker® system, which is specifically designed to accommodate various sized lamps and effectively contain mercury vapor emitted from broken lamps.

Once received, the recycler crushes the lamps, along with other contaminated products, devices and debris, to safely exhaust the mercury vapor and extract and reuse the resultant mercury—ensuring mercury is not released into the environment. The remaining debris is then placed in 55-gallon drums and sent to a retort facility—where the drums are heated to high temperatures to eliminate any remaining mercury. Any remaining glass and aluminum is furthered recycled and reused.

This process reduces the potential dangers of mercury vapor emitted from used fluorescent lamps—effectively reducing environmental liability and protecting both handlers and consumers from potential safety hazards and health risks.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

TCLP Tests

According to EPA estimates, approximately 75 to 80 percent of fluorescent lamps are not recycled and are usually placed in dumpsters or trash containers. Fluorescent lamps in dumpsters present a considerable danger. One study found that mercury is "strongly and persistently" emitted from dumpsters that contain broken fluorescent lamps.1 The data indicates a preliminary loss rate of ~25µg/h from one bulb contained in a closed dumpster. The bulb continued to emit mercury at this rate for more than a week, and at ~50 µg/h on the 8th day following breakage.

Federal policies contain exemptions that help keep the recycling rate low. For instance, lamps that pass the Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) mercury test are currently exempt from recycling requirements. However, some lamp manufacturers put extraneous additives in the lamps—such as ascorbic acid—that compromise the test and skew the results.

In 2000—following an extensive debate focused on whether or not a disposal ban should apply to lamps that pass the TCLP—the Maine Legislature decided to enact the ban on all mercury-added lamps. New and used lamps from ten popular lamp models were collected and tested for total mercury and TCLP mercury by dedicated testing procedures. Results indicate that lamps that pass the TCLP test contain comparable total mercury results as the corresponding lamps that fail TCLP, suggesting that the disposal ban on all mercury-added lamps is appropriate.2

1. Lindberg, S.E.; Owens, J. PaMSWaD (Pathways of Mercury in Solid Waste Disposal); Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation (LMER). 1999. 6.
2. Maine Fluorescent Lamp Study, DRAFT 1.0, November 15, 2001.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC