Florida Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations

Quick Facts

  • Due to mercury concerns, recycling fluorescent bulbs is required by the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection for non-household facilities that generate 10 or more bulbs per month
  • Crushing fluorescent bulbs is allowed in Florida
  • Crushed bulbs are considered universal waste in Florida
  • Prepaid bulb recycling by mail is allowed in Florida

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Recycling Options Available in Alabama

THE BULB EATER

Crushes fluorescent lamps of any size while removing mercury vapors. Reduces labor, recycling costs, and storage vs. packing lamps.

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EASYPAK RECYCLING CONTAINERS

Fill up containers with bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste at your own pace and mail back via prepaid shipping.

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BULK RECYCLING PICKUPS

For larger amounts of bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste. Trucks come pick up waste at your location for recycling.

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Detailed Florida Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations

The stringency table below provides examples of state regulations compared to the EPA regulations. We strongly recommend that you discuss stringency with your primary state regulatory contact. This information should not be interpreted as definitive legal guidance. This document was produced in June 2004, and we do not guarantee its accuracy after that date, as state policies may change at any time.

("same" means the state policy is the same as the federal policy)

 

Jurisdiction: Federal EPA

Generator Exemption (CESQG): Generators producing less than 100 kg (220 pounds) of hazardous waste (HW) or 1 kg acute HW in each month, including all HW generated. CESQGs are exempt from federal rules, but not exempt from liability (40 CFR 261.5)

Where can waste from CESQG go? Waste may go to any Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF)

Can the waste be declared non-hazardous, based on TCLP? Wastes that test less than 0.2mg/l soluble mercury are not considered hazardous under federal rules.

Other stringency or exemptions? Crushing can only be done by generator (40 CFR 262.34); crushed waste that is not UW- must be managed as RCRA HW. Crushing not allowed within federal UWR, but may be within State UW regulations. No one may crush third-party lamps without treatment authorization [1]. No mobile treatment units.

 

Jurisdiction: Florida

Generator Exemption (CESQG): Exemption only for <10 lamps per month

Where can waste from CESQG go? Recycling is preferred. No incineration or disposal at MSWLF allowed. Some county HHW programs will accept.

Can the waste be declared non-hazardous, based on TCLP? No, the waste cannot be declared non-hazardous.

Other stringency or exemptions? Crushing by generator allowed as UW.

 

State Regulatory Contacts

PRIMARY CONTACT

Laurie Tenace - Environmental Specialist

Agency Address: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Rd. Mail Station MS4555, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400

Phone: (850) 245-8759, fax (850) 245-8811

Email: laurie.tenace@dep.state.fl.us

 

SECONDARY CONTACTS

Douglas Outlaw - Professional Engineer II

Phone: (850) 245-8786

Area of Responsibility: Works with RCRA

 

Regina Hawkins - Recycling Coordinator

Phone: (352) 334-2063

Area of Responsibility: Works with Alachua County

 

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