Running a successful business requires investing in the best energy efficient resources. When it comes to lighting, this means using fluorescent tubes, CFLs, PCB ballasts and HID lamps. These types of lights are incredibly dynamic—reducing energy from power plants, running for long periods of time and saving your business money. With this increased advantage comes responsibility. These types of lights all contain small amounts of mercury, which is fine when these products are lighting your facilities, but potentially troublesome when it comes to disposal. It’s not safe to simply toss these types of lights into the garbage when replacement time comes.
Mercury in the Food Chain
The act of crushing or breaking a fluorescent light is likely to create mercury vapor, so keeping lamps intact can reduce the risk of environmental damage. Mercury vapor is particularly dangerous when exposed to water. If this vapor enters watersheds, it can turn into a substance called methylmercury, which can be ingested by fish or wildlife and passed into the food chain. With studies showing upwards of 80 percent of all fluorescent lights ending up in landfills, the impact of methylmercury in our food supply is real. Recycling CFLs and other mercury-containing light bulbs can help to reduce the contamination. Being a good steward to the environment should be considered for any responsible business owner.
Wasted Resources
Professional recyclers can reuse or recycle parts like metal, glass, phosphor powder and mercury from high-efficiency bulbs. If the lamps end up in a landfill, those resources do not biodegrade and they contribute to further energy extraction as light manufacturers seek out continued supply chains to fulfill their own business needs. This has aggregate environmental and economic consequences, which are things that do need to be considered as part of any long-term business plan. Recycling parts helps to keep costs down.
Breaking the Law
Depending on where you operate your business, you may be subject to certain laws and regulations. The EPA has their own restrictions on fluorescent light disposal, but some states and local jurisdictions may have even more strict rules. Understanding your local laws on proper lamp disposal can help keep your business from unintentionally breaking the law and being subject to fines or penalties.
The Upside of Recycling Fluorescent Lights
A business that is seeking to minimize the costs and environmental concerns associated with “keeping the lights on,” may want to consider working with a professional recycling vendor on a regular basis. A company like TechWaste Recycling can help serve your business with recycling most types of commercial lighting.
TechWaste Recycling directly services all of Southern California and provides pickup services to its facilities from nationwide locations. It’s light bulb recycling services are effective and efficient DIY Recycling Kits that can be obtained at TechWaste Recycling’s store LIGHT BULB RECYCLING.
Learn more about TechWaste’s DIY Recycling Kit Services here: Light Recycling Kits
Contact Info:
Richard Steffens
1940 E. Occidental street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 866-637-8469
