Light Ballasts

Executive Summary

Some lamps and ballasts contain toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead, which are harmful to the environment and the people who handle them, if not disposed of correctly. Lighting equipment that falls under this category are subject to the Universal Waste Rule and the Toxic Substance Control Act, as regulated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment.  CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. Learn more about CFLs and mercury. Other materials in the bulbs get reused.  Recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.

Other Types of Light Bulbs that Contain Mercury

The Environmental Protection Agency has complete lists of materials that fall under hazardous waste and universal waste category. Visit their website to learn about national and state regulations, and proper disposal techniques of toxic metal containing items.

Fluorescent bulbs:

  • Linear, U-tube and circline fluorescent tubes
  • Bug zappers
  • Tanning bulbs
  • Black lights
  • Germicidal bulbs
  • Fluorescent induction bulbs
  • High output bulbs, and
  • Cold-cathode fluorescent bulbs.

High intensity discharge bulbs:

  • Metal halide
  • Ceramic metal halide
  • Induction
  • Plasma
  • High pressure sodium, and mercury vapor.

Mercury short-arc bulbs; and Neon bulbs.

Light Ballasts are Regulated as Universal Waste

The Universal Waste Rule (UWR) is a set of federal environmental regulations adopted with modifications by Missouri. The effective date of the rule in Missouri was Jan. 31, 1999. The rule can be found in the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Regulations located in Title 10, Division 25, Chapter 16 of the Code of State Regulations (CSR), which references portions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40 Part 273. The UWR identifies all universal wastes in Missouri and states how they can be handled in a lawful manner. The rule was designed to give generators of certain types of hazardous wastes an option to manage those wastes under less stringent UWR requirements rather than by the more stringent existing hazardous waste regulations. This alternative is offered to help reduce the regulatory burden on businesses and others that generate certain common hazardous wastes and to encourage collection, recycling and proper disposal of these wastes. To completely understand the rule, read both state and federal regulations.  The wastes covered under this rule are described in the “What are the different types of universal wastes” section below.

What are the basic requirements for managing universal wastes?
Anyone who wants to manage one or more of the universal wastes noted below under the UWR must determine his or her handler status. Large quantity handlers accumulate 5000 kilograms (approximately 11,000 pounds) or more of universal waste calculated collectively, at any time. Small quantity handlers accumulate less than 5,000 kg (approx. 11,000 lbs.). The handler counts only those wastes that will be managed as universal wastes. All other hazardous wastes are calculated separately and determine the “hazardous waste generator status” of the business. The designation as a large quantity handler remains through the end of the calendar year in which the 5000 kg is accumulated.

It is important to note, disposal of hazardous wastes in Missouri sanitary landfills (except for very small amounts) has been illegal since Jan. 1, 1994 (Section 260.432 Revised Statutes of Missouri [RSMo]).

Large and small quantity handlers

  • Must prevent releases to the environment
  • Must not dispose of a universal waste into the environment
  • Must not dilute or treat a universal waste or break or crush mercury containing lamps without a Missouri Resource Recovery Certification or an applicable hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal permit
  • Must follow the waste management requirements stated in the rule for the particular waste(s) being managed
  • Small quantity handlers generating only universal wastes under this rule do not need to register or obtain a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identification number
  • Large quantity handlers must register and obtain an EPA identification number if a number has not previously been obtained
  • Must label waste as a “universal waste” and accumulation start date as described in the rule
  • May accumulate universal wastes on-site for up to one year or accumulate universal wastes for more than one year for the sole purpose of facilitating proper recovery or disposal
  • May accept universal wastes from off site and keep them for up to one year (except for universal waste pesticides)
  • Must provide annual training to employees on proper handling and emergency procedures
  • Must respond to spills and manage the spill residue as hazardous waste
  • May self-transport the universal waste to an authorized destination facility
    • If self-transporting, the handler must meet applicable universal waste transporter requirements in the UWR and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations
  • Small quantity handlers need not keep records of universal wastes received or shipped; large quantity handlers have recordkeeping requirements; however the coops have the burden of proof to support their classification as a Small quantity handler.  It is recommended to keep a log of shipment weights proving the facility is under 11,000 pounds.
  • Must comply with export requirements for foreign shipments, if applicable
  • Mercury containing equipment
    • Thermostats
    • Mercury switches
    • Mercury containing thermometers
    • Manometers
  • Mercury containing lamps
    • Fluorescent
    • High-pressure sodium
    • Mercury vapor
    • Metal halide
    • High intensity discharge (HID) lamps
    • Other hazardous incandescent lamps

Additional Information
Standard Operating Procedure for Universal Waste Pesticide Collection Programs in Missouri https://dnr.mo.gov/pubs/docs/pub2637.pdf
Code of Federal Regulations http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse
Missouri Code of State Regulations for Department of Natural Resources http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/10csr/10csr
Missouri Revised Statutes http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/statutesAna.html

Missouri Department of National Resources https://dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/enf/florbulbs.htm