FLUORESCENT LAMP RECYCLING
Responsible Recycling
Eliminating the storage hazard
Fluorescent lamps contain mercury and other harmful materials, all of which are
hazardous to human health and the environment. Spent lamps from commercial firms
are now banned from landfills nationwide and must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
The Federal Government and all 50 States have introduced strict rules to manage the
recycling and disposal of lamps containing mercury. Failure to comply with these
regulations puts companies and the environment at risk.
Scientific tests have shown that often the most hazardous part of recycling lamps is
their storage pending disposal. This is because they can easily be broken and
contaminate other lamps while waiting to be sent for disposal.
When this happens, mercury is released into the atmosphere presenting a real health
and safety hazard to workers operating in the facility. This is in addition to the danger
from the broken glass itself.
PestWest have developed patented technology used in the Vapor Vacuum Lamp
Compacter, which contains quantities of used lamps in a secure container, while at the
same time removing the hazardous mercury in a specially designed filter system. By
this method, companies can meet their health and safety obligation.
