North Carolina Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations

Quick Facts

  • Due to mercury concerns, recycling fluorescent bulbs is highly recommended by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and is required for many facilities throughout the state
  • Crushing fluorescent bulbs is allowed in North Carolina
  • Prepaid bulb recycling by mail is allowed in North Carolina

Select another state

 

Recycling Options Available in North Carolina

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.

Start Now

 

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 North Carolina 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: North Carolina

Generator Exemption (CESQG): same

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

Can the waste be declared non-hazardous, based on TCLP? same

Other stringency or exemptions? same

 

State Regulatory Contacts

PRIMARY CONTACT

Lebeed Kady - Environmental Engineer II

Agency Address: North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Section, Technical Resource Unit, 401 Oberlin Rd., Suite 150         Raleigh, NC 27605

Phone: (919) 733-2178 ext. 217

Email: lebeed.kady@ncmail.net

 

SECONDARY CONTACTS

Doug Roberts - Hydrogeologist II

Phone: (919) 733-2178 ext. 233

Area of Responsibility: Electronic waste/UWR

 

Joseph Fitzpatrick - Environmental Specialist

Phone: (919) 707-8121

Area of Responsibility: Recycling guidance for mercury products

 

Barry Edwards - Utilities and Engineering Director

Phone: (828) 465-8261

Area of Responsibility: Recycling committee for SWANA

 

Division of Waste Management

Phone: (919) 733-4996

 

More Resources