Texas Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations

Quick Facts

  • Due to mercury concerns, recycling fluorescent bulbs is highly recommended by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and is required for many facilities throughout the state
  • Crushing fluorescent bulbs is allowed in Texas
  • Crushed bulbs are considered universal waste in Texas
  • Prepaid bulb recycling by mail is allowed in Texas

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Recycling Options Available in Texas

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 Texas 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: Alabama

Generator Exemption (CESQG): same

Where can waste from CESQG go? same

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

Other stringency or exemptions? Crushing by generator allowed as UW

 

State Regulatory Contacts

PRIMARY CONTACT

Jesse Boultinghouse - Program Specialist

Agency Address: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Permits Division, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711

Phone: (512) 239-6865

Email: jesse.boultin@tceq.texas.gov

 

Scott Green - Project Manager

Agency Address: Same as above

Phone: (512) 239-6381

Email: scott.green@tceq.texas.gov

 

SECONDARY CONTACTS

Jason Sutherland - Industrial and Hazardous Waste Permit Section

Phone: (903) 535-5135

Area of Responsibility: Technical analysis team

 

Gerry Bolmer - Chemist

Phone: (512) 239-6412

Area of Responsibility: UWR

 

John Carillo - Chemist

Phone: (512) 239-6412

Area of Responsibility: UWR

 

Keith Whitten - Chemist

Phone: (512) 239-6412

Area of Responsibility: UWR

 

Tess Johnston - Chemist

Phone: (512) 239-6412

Area of Responsibility: UWR

 

TCEQ Main Switchboard

Phone: (512) 239-1000

Area of Responsibility: UWR

 

Toll Free - Small Business and Small Local Governments Environmental Assistance Line

Phone: 1-800-447-2827

Area of Responsibility: Call to ask about environmental regulations in TX, conducts some on-site inspections for specific industries

 

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