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 Services 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.

Find more detailed information about Fluorescent Lamps Management here.

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