Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling Program Launched in Yonkers, N.Y.

Under the terms of an enforcement agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the City of Yonkers, N.Y., has initiated a program to recycle fluorescent light bulbs, as well as light ballasts and electronic scrap.

“Fluorescent light bulbs are an energy efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs, and whenever possible should be recycled,” says Judith Enck, EPA’s regional administrator. “These bulbs contain mercury, and can be harmful to the environment and human health if not disposed of correctly. By agreeing to implement this program and recycle spent fluorescent bulbs, Yonkers will have a positive impact on the health of its residents for generations.”

In 2008, EPA inspected various buildings belonging to the city of Yonkers and requested documentation regarding the city’s spent bulb recycling efforts. After the city did not adequately respond, EPA cited the city for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.

Agency regulations require that spent mercury and other toxic metal-containing bulbs from business, industry and government be handled as hazardous waste, meaning they must be disposed of in specially licensed facilities.

As an alternative, the bulbs can be handled under simpler universal waste rules to encourage their recycling. Under the universal waste rules, certain recordkeeping, storage and transportation requirements required by generators, collectors and transporters of batteries, pesticides, spent fluorescent bulbs, and other mercury-containing equipment do not have to be met, if the materials are properly recycled.