 Rules & Regulations
Fluorescent bulbs and tubes contain mercury, which is toxic. When broken, compacted or disposed of in the wrong place, lamps may release mercury into the air, water or soil, posing a threat to human health and the environment. Lead is also a concern for many lamp models. The best option is to send lamps to a qualified recycler that separates the glass, mercury and metal. Burned out fluorescent bulbs and tubes must be handled according to local, state, federal regulations and international trade laws.
City of Seattle
The City of Seattle prohibits the disposal of fluorescent bulbs and tubes from any residential or commercial customer in the municipal solid waste or at the Seattle transfer stations. (Seattle Municipal Code 21.36.025 - Unlawful Disposal; 21.36.026 - Household Hazardous Waste; 21.36.029 - Small Quantity Generator)
King County Waste Acceptance Policy
King County encourages residents and businesses to recycle their burned out fluorescent bulbs and tubes rather than place them in the trash. Fluorescent bulbs and tubes can not be disposed in the garbage or at any of the transfer stations, and must be recycled. Visit the Waste Acceptance Policy for additional details on what items are accepted at the transfer stations.
Department of Ecology
State regulations require that businesses that handle fluorescent bulbs and tubes and other lamps comply with the Department of Ecology's Universal Waste Rule for Lamps (PDF, external K) (WAC 173-303--573(5)) (Publication Number 98-407c). This policy describes the methods for proper handling of fluorescent lamps under the state's Dangerous Waste Regulations (Chapter 173-303-573). The requirements include storing lamps in protective containers that are marked with the accumulation start date, proper labelling as a universal waste, and transporting to a recycler in a safe manner.
Exporting and Overseas Recycling
The US has not harmonized its definitions and laws governing hazardous waste with the global ones defined by the Basel Convention. Mercury in burned out bulbs and tubes is designated as a hazardous waste internationally, and should be recycled or properly disposed in developed (OECD/EU) nations.
The Basel Convention
Most nations, not including the United States, have ratified an international treaty called the Basel Convention (external) which restricts the movement of hazardous wastes between countries. The Basel Convention is a trade barrier intended to prevent the flow of toxic waste from rich to poorer countries. There are 164 nations that have agreed, via the Basel Convention, not to trade in hazardous wastes with nations that are not parties to the treaty (such as the US) unless the country is one of the 36 most developed nations. These 36 developed nations belong to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (external) and/or the European Union.
The OECD represents the interests of the 30 most developed nations, including the United States. Six non-OECD countries have now joined the European Union, and have been required to transpose the OECD obligations into their national laws. Therefore, it is not illegal for those 35 nations to import hazardous waste from the US. However, there are certain protocols and requirements that the US must meet prior to exporting each shipment of waste to these nations.
Over the past several years, reports documenting dangerous overseas recycling practices have surfaced. To read more about these investigations, refer to the article that appeared in the February 24, 2003, issue of the Washington Post, "China Serves as Dump Site for Computers" (external) and the Basel Action Network report called "Exporting Harm" (PDF, external). For more information about the export of hazardous materials for recycling, refer to the Basel Action Network (external).
What should you do with your burned out fluorescent bulbs and tubes?
Before sending your burned out fluorescent bulbs and tubes to a recycler, make sure that the recycler handles the materials in an environmentally sound manner, in the US or developed countries. The local members of the Take it Back Network have agreed to meet these requirements.
When you contact a lamp recycler, ask questions!
For more information about choosing a recycler visit the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County.
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