Fluorescent Lamps

What we do

A variety of lamps can contain hazardous materials, mainly the toxic metals mercury and lead, and must be managed as a regulated waste.  Included in this category are fluorescent, compact fluorescent (CFL), UV, high intensity discharge (HID), neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide lamps. Used lamps are a category of "Universal Waste."

Environmental Health and Safety coordinates with the Facilities Recycling/Surplus/Solid Waste division to collect and recycle used fluorescent lamps.  Depending upon the quantities that you generate in a given period of time, EHS will provide various sizes of fiber drums to collect the used lamps. Once the container is full, the generator submits a Chemical Waste Collection Request or EHS picks up the drums automatically on a six-month schedule.

How you can help

Collect used lamps in a manner that avoids breakage. Place the lamps in the provided fiber drum or use a container that can be closed when not adding lamps. If you are using your own container, mark it “Universal Waste – Lamps” and mark the date you put the first lamp in the container. Know how to handle broken lamps.

For more information

Mark Borth
Hazardous Materials Specialist
208-885-6279
borth@uidaho.edu

Andrew Pemberton
Hazardous Materials Technician
208-885-2883
apemberton@uidaho.edu