New York Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations

Quick Facts

  • Due to mercury concerns, recycling fluorescent bulbs is required by law by the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation for businesses and organizations that discard more than 15 lamps per month
  • Crushing fluorescent bulbs is allowed in New York
  • Prepaid bulb recycling by mail is allowed in New York

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Recycling Options Available in New York

THE BULB EATER

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

Request Price

 

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.

Schedule a Pickup

 

Detailed New York 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: New York

Generator Exemption (CESQG): No CESQG exemption - Small business exemption if less than 100 employees and less than 15 lamps per month

Where can waste from CESQG go? Waste must go to RCRA Sub-C facility or other permitted facility

Can the waste be declared non-hazardous, based on TCLP? No - all lamps with mercury added are H.W.

Other stringency or exemptions? DTC same as fed.
Requires UW lamp shipments >500 lbs. to be carried by permitted HW transporter

 

State Regulatory Contacts

PRIMARY CONTACT

Mark Moroukian - Environmental Engineer II

Agency Address: Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials, Bureau of Hazardous Waste Regulation, 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233

Phone: (518) 402-8633

Email: mmmorouk@gw.dec.state.ny.us

 

SECONDARY CONTACTS

Tony Martin - NY-DEC Technical Assistance

Phone: (518) 402-9543

 

Michelle Ching - Environmental Engineer II

Phone: (518) 402-8633

 

Bureau of Hazardous Waste Management

Phone: (518) 402-8609

 

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