San jose fluorescent bulb disposal

If one breaks, clear people and pets out of the room, and then air it out for five to ten minutes. To stop the vapor from spreading, also shut off the heat, ventilation and air-conditioning.

Instead, sweep up broken pieces with cardboard or paper. If there are any leftover shards of glass, use a piece of tape to pick them up. These lamps and tubes contain more than a half a ton of mercury. The mercury in urban storm water sediment results in part from improperly discarded fluorescent lamps and tubes. Operating a fluorescent lamp crusher in California would require a "standardized permit" from the Department of Toxic Substances Control. Contact the DTSC office near you for more information on standardized treatment permits before you invest in a fluorescent lamp crusher.

Hazardous waste regulations designate a category of hazardous wastes called " Universal Waste. Not all universal wastes are subject to the same regulations or disposal requirements. In general, universal waste may not be discarded in solid waste landfills. Local trash companies or other agencies were allowed to ban these items from the trash any time before February 8, Large and small quantity handlers are required to ship their universal waste to either another handler, a universal waste transfer station, a recycling facility, or a disposal facility.

Under the California's Universal Waste Rule , specified waste generators were permitted to send specified universal wastes to landfills, but this disposal allowance has expired. On February 9, , regulations took effect in California that classified all discarded fluorescent lamps and tubes as hazardous waste. Hazardous waste fluorescent lamps and tubes can be managed under the simple requirements of the state's Universal Waste Rule, provided they are sent to an authorized recycling facility.

Under a temporary disposal exemption, California households were allowed to discard their own fluorescent lamps and tubes as non-hazardous solid waste ordinary trash until February 9, A similar exemption allowed non-residential generators who produce very limited amounts of hazardous waste to discard up to 30 of their own lamps and tubes in the non-hazardous solid waste until the same date. Now all fluorescent lamps and tubes must be recycled, or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility, a universal waste handler e.

Fluorescent lamps and tubes are an energy-efficient alternative to incandescent lamps for the following reasons:. In a household or for small quantity breakages, do not use a standard vacuum cleaner! For vacuum cleaning, only vacuums designed specifically for hazardous waste may be used. Instead of vacuuming, wear latex gloves and carefully clean up the fragments. Wipe the area with a damp disposable paper towel to remove all glass fragments and associated mercury.

Keep all people and pets away from area so that mercury-containing pieces and powder are not tracked into other areas. Keep the area well ventilated to disperse any vapor than may escape. After clean up is complete, place all fragments along with cleaning materials into a sealable plastic bag.

Wash your hands. Recycle along with intact lamps. For accidental breakage of larger numbers of lamps, such as a case or pallet, do not use a standard vacuum cleaner! Ventilate area where breakage occurred.

Separate any unbroken lamps and cleanup breakage with a specialized mercury vacuum cleaner or other suitable means that avoids dust and mercury vapor generation. Place materials in closed containers. Recycle waste along with intact lamps. Drop Where You Shop Some local businesses that sell fluorescent lights will take used ones back from their customers for proper disposal.

San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste HHW Program Make a household hazardous waste appointment if you have other hazardous products to dispose of in addition to fluorescent lights. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.

Cleanup the broken fragments. On a hard surface: Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Use disposable rubber gloves if available, do not use bare hands.

Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place the towels or wipes in the plastic bag. Do not use a broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces. On a rug or carpet: Do not use a vacuum cleaner! A vacuum will spread the mercury over a large area, resulting in ineffective cleanup and health risks.

Instead of vacuuming, wear latex gloves and carefully clean up the fragments following the steps above for hard surfaces.