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Used Fluorescent Lamps and Other Bulbs

Definition

Used lamps are defined as the bulb or tube of a lighting device that is designed to produce radiant energy, most often in the visible, and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Common examples of electric lamps include, but are not limited to:

Fluorescent Bulbs

Linear tube, circular and U-Tube shape, compact fluorescent bulbs

Four foot fluorescent tube light with silver end capFour foot fluorescent tube light with green end capCorkscrew shaped compact fluorescent light bulb with screw in base

High Intensity Discharge Bulbs

mercury vapor, metal-halide, sodium vapor

High-Intenisty Vapor Bulb

Ultraviolet Bulbs

Ultraviolet Bulb

LED Bulbs

A light emitting diode (LED) bulb with screw in base

Incandescent Bulbs

An incandescent light bulb with screw in base

Cathode Ray Tubes

Cathode Ray Tubes from computers and televisions can also be disposed of as Used Lamps.

Cathode Ray Tube

Although the most common hazard associated with used lamps is the toxicity due to mercury and mercury vapor, other used lamps identified above may contain additional heavy metals such as cadmium or lead. Therefore, all used lamps and bulbs are collected through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program. Bulbs should not be disposed of in the general refuse trash.

Storage

Intact

All lamps should be packaged to prevent breakage and release to the environment. If possible, the original box should be used. All boxes must be structurally sound and closed unless actively using or adding material. Lamps will be picked up at the point of generation by the EHS Hazardous Waste Program.

A collection of several closed four foot and eight foot light bulb boxes with EHS Universal Waste Labels

Damaged

If the bulbs break inside of the container, seal the box and do not add more material. If used lamps are broken prior to being placed inside of the container, take the following steps for cleanup of the materials:

  • Secure the area and leave for 15 minutes.
  • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). At a minimum, wear gloves appropriate for broken glass and safety glasses.
  • Take the usual precautions for collection of broken glass.
  • Sweep large pieces of broken glass and clean up any residual powder with a wet rag. If the lamp breaks on a carpeted area, sticky tape can be used to pick up small pieces of broken glass.
  • Place all pieces of broken glass and cleanup materials in a cardboard box, or other sturdy container.
  • The container with the broken bulb should be disposed of through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program

MSU Waste Tag Required

Yes - An MSU Waste Tag is not needed when submitting intact lamps and bulbs.

No - An MSU Waste Tag is required for all broken bulbs as they are managed as hazardous waste.

MSU Waste Tags must be directly affixed to the waste container either with string, a twist tie, chain and clipboard, rubber band, or tape. MSU Waste Tags are provided by EHS and can be requested through an EHS Hazardous Waste Request.

Labeling

Intact

For locations that collect used lamps prior to disposal with EHS, the container must be labeled “Universal Waste Lamps” and contain the accumulation start date. The accumulation start date is the first day that you begin filling the container with used lamps. Alternatively, the EHS Hazardous Waste Program provides the following label for Universal Waste, which can be requested through the EHS Safety Portal:

Purple and white Universal Waste label with check boxes for each type of Universal Waste. Accumulation Start Date is highlighted in red

Damaged

A MSU Waste Tag should be filled out and completed when the used lamp is found to be damaged. The contact information at the top of the MSU Waste Tag must be filled out to identify where the hazardous waste was generated, the container size and type, and who to contact with questions regarding the waste container.

The Contents should be “Damaged Electric Lamp” with the weight of the lamp listed in the Volume column. Check the poison/toxic hazards at the bottom of the MSU Waste Tag.

Guidance on how to accurately fill out the MSU Waste Tag can be found in the Waste Section of the EHS website.

Submit Hazardous Waste Request

If submitting individual used lamps for disposal, or when the container is full or close to the 90-day accumulation limit, submit a Hazardous Waste Request via the EHS Safety Portal as follows:

  • EHS Website: ehs.msu.edu
  • Log in to the Safety Portal through a preferred web browser using your MSU Net ID and EBS Password
  • Select Hazardous Waste Request
  • Used Light Bulbs are found under the Common Process category