Frequently Asked Questions
Fluorescent lamps are low pressure glass tubes that contain from 5 to 50 mg. of mercury, usually exceeding the EPA’s regulatory threshold of 2mg./liter. The mercury, excited by an electric current, produces ultraviolet energy which is converted to visible light by a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube. When these lamps are thrown into landfills and shattered, or at the very worst incinerated, mercury vapors are released that can travel up to 200 miles. Last year an estimated 600,000,000 fluorescent bulbs were disposed of in landfills, amounting to about 30,000 pounds of mercury waste escaping into the environment.
• Straight Fluorescent (all lengths and diameters)
• Compacts Fluorescent (both with and without ballast) • Circular, U-bend, and other shaped lamps • UV Lamps• Flood Lamps
• LED Lamps
• Incandescent • Halogen • HID (High Pressure Sodium, Metal Halide, Biax, High Intensity, Bi-Metal) • Shattershield or Coated Lamps
Replacing normal incandescent lamps with fluorescents can save money by reducing energy costs. However, every fluorescent lamp contains the toxin mercury, which can cause major environmental and health problems if it is released from the lamps through improper disposal methods, such as throwing bulbs in the trash. Lamp recycling that removes the mercury is essential for any facility that wants to help keep its workplace safe and the environment healthy.
Replacing normal incandescent or fluorescent lamps with LED lamps can result in energy savings, and fewer lamp changes. However, LED lamps contains the toxins such as arsenic, lead, nickel and other heavy metals, which can cause major environmental and health problems if released into the environment from the improper disposal of LED lamps. Lamp recycling that removes the toxins is essential for any facility that wants to help keep its workplace safe and the environment healthy.
Ballasts produce the current necessary to light and operate a fluorescent lamp. Many types of ballast contain a black tar-like substance that contains PCBs. If these extremely hazardous PCB s escape into the environment they pollute the land and ground water. Newer electronic ballasts generally do not contain PCBs but the materials inside them can be recycled rather than clogging our landfills.
E-waste is bulky and there is a lot of it. Many of the parts can be reused to make new products. Some e-waste contains heavy metals and other toxins that can cause environmental and health problems. Recycling e-waste is essential to keep it from our clogging our landfills and polluting our environment.
Yes. We are able to pick up and recycle crushed or intact lamps. When lamps are broken or crushed they lose their status as universal waste and must be treated as hazardous waste subject to more stringent Federal and state standards and more costly clean-up and transportation fees. All you have to do is leave your crushed lamps in a covered 5 gallon pail or 55-gallon drum and we will take care of the rest.
Generally, bulk pickups are designed for facilities with over 150,000 square feet or with large amounts of lamp waste. Bulk pickups are made of scheduled dates. However, NBR will make emergency pickups at your convenience at no additional charge. You decide when you want a pickup to receive them according to your facility’s needs.
Intact Lamps – You pack them in specially marked containers provided by NBR as the lamps are replaced. NBR’s service team members will come to your facility to collect the lamps and replace the containers.
Crushed Lamps – Crushed lamps will be sealed and packaged by NBR’s service team members in separate containers at the time of collection.
Fluorescent lamps are low pressure glass tubes that contain from 5 to 50 mg. of mercury, usually exceeding the EPA’s regulatory threshold of 2mg./liter. The mercury, excited by an electric current, produces ultraviolet energy which is converted to visible light by a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube. When these lamps are thrown into landfills and shattered, or at the very worst incinerated, mercury vapors are released that can travel up to 200 miles. Last year an estimated 600,000,000 fluorescent bulbs were disposed of in landfills, amounting to about 30,000 pounds of mercury waste escaping into the environment.
• Straight Fluorescent (all lengths and diameters)
• Compacts Fluorescent (both with and without ballast) • Circular, U-bend, and other shaped lamps • UV Lamps• Flood Lamps
• LED Lamps
• Incandescent • Halogen • HID (High Pressure Sodium, Metal Halide, Biax, High Intensity, Bi-Metal) • Shattershield or Coated Lamps
Replacing normal incandescent lamps with fluorescents can save money by reducing energy costs. However, every fluorescent lamp contains the toxin mercury, which can cause major environmental and health problems if it is released from the lamps through improper disposal methods, such as throwing bulbs in the trash. Lamp recycling that removes the mercury is essential for any facility that wants to help keep its workplace safe and the environment healthy.
Replacing normal incandescent or fluorescent lamps with LED lamps can result in energy savings, and fewer lamp changes. However, LED lamps contains the toxins such as arsenic, lead, nickel and other heavy metals, which can cause major environmental and health problems if released into the environment from the improper disposal of LED lamps. Lamp recycling that removes the toxins is essential for any facility that wants to help keep its workplace safe and the environment healthy.
Ballasts produce the current necessary to light and operate a fluorescent lamp. Many types of ballast contain a black tar-like substance that contains PCBs. If these extremely hazardous PCB s escape into the environment they pollute the land and ground water. Newer electronic ballasts generally do not contain PCBs but the materials inside them can be recycled rather than clogging our landfills.
E-waste is bulky and there is a lot of it. Many of the parts can be reused to make new products. Some e-waste contains heavy metals and other toxins that can cause environmental and health problems. Recycling e-waste is essential to keep it from our clogging our landfills and polluting our environment.
Yes. We are able to pick up and recycle crushed or intact lamps. When lamps are broken or crushed they lose their status as universal waste and must be treated as hazardous waste subject to more stringent Federal and state standards and more costly clean-up and transportation fees. All you have to do is leave your crushed lamps in a covered 5 gallon pail or 55-gallon drum and we will take care of the rest.
Generally, bulk pickups are designed for facilities with over 150,000 square feet or with large amounts of lamp waste. Bulk pickups are made of scheduled dates. However, NBR will make emergency pickups at your convenience at no additional charge. You decide when you want a pickup to receive them according to your facility’s needs.
Intact Lamps – You pack them in specially marked containers provided by NBR as the lamps are replaced. NBR’s service team members will come to your facility to collect the lamps and replace the containers.
Crushed Lamps – Crushed lamps will be sealed and packaged by NBR’s service team members in separate containers at the time of collection.