Florida Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations
Quick Facts:
- Due to mercury concerns, recycling fluorescent bulbs is required by the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection for non-household facilities that generate 10 or more bulbs per month
- Crushing fluorescent bulbs is allowed in Florida
- Crushed bulbs are considered universal waste in Florida
- Prepaid bulb recycling by mail is allowed in Florida
Recycling Options Available in Florida:
THE BULB EATER
Crushes fluorescent lamps of any size while removing mercury vapors. Reduces labor, recycling costs, and storage vs. packing lamps
EASYPAK RECYCLING CONTAINERS
Fill up containers with bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste at your own pace and mail back via prepaid shipping
BULK RECYCLING PICKUPS
For larger amounts of bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste. Trucks come pick up waste at your location for recycling
Questions about recycling in your state? Contact us for more information.
Detailed Florida Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations
The stringency table below provides examples of state regulations compared to the EPA regulations.
We strongly recommend that you discuss stringency with your primary state regulatory contact. This information should not be interpreted as definitive legal guidance. This document was produced in June 2004, and we do not guarantee its accuracy after that date, as state policies may change at any time.
("same" means the state policy is the same as the federal policy)
Confused about terminology (CESQG, HW, TCLP, etc.)? Refer to this glossary for help.
| Jurisdiction | Generator Exemption (CESQG) |
Where can waste from CESQG go? | Can the waste be declared non- hazardous, based on TCLP? | Other stringency or exemptions? |
| Federal EPA | Generators producing less than 100 kg (220 pounds) of hazardous waste (HW) or 1 kg acute HW in each month, including all HW generated. CESQGs are exempt from federal rules, but not exempt from liability (40 CFR 261.5) | Waste may go to any Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) | Wastes that test less than 0.2mg/l soluble mercury are not considered hazardous under federal rules. | Crushing can only be done by generator (40 CFR 262.34); crushed waste that is not UW- must be managed as RCRA HW. Crushing not allowed within federal UWR, but may be within State UW regulations. No one may crush third-party lamps without treatment authorization [1]. No mobile treatment units. |
| Florida | Exemption only for <10 lamps per month | Recycling is preferred. No incineration or disposal at MSWLF allowed. Some county HHW programs will accept. | No, the waste cannot be declared non-hazardous. | Crushing by generator allowed as UW. |
State Regulatory Contacts
| Primary Contact | Title | Agency Address | Phone | |
| Laurie Tenace | Environmental Specialist |
Florida Department of Environmental Protection 2600 Blair Stone Rd. Mail Station MS4555 Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 |
(850) 245-8759, fax (850) 245-8811 | laurie.tenace@dep.state.fl.us |
| Secondary Contact | Title | Phone | Area of Responsibility | |
| Douglas Outlaw | Professional Engineer II | (850) 245-8786 | Works with RCRA | |
| Regina Hawkins | Recycling Coordinator | (352) 334-2063 | Works with Alachua County | |
More Resources
| Web Links and Informational Resources | |
| Guidance Paper (PDF) | https://www.aircycle.com/local/pdf/florida.pdf |
| Guidance Paper (PDF) | https://www.aircycle.com/local/pdf/florida2.pdf |
| Lamp Guidance Sheet | https://www.aircycle.com%20v4/local/pdf/florida-lamp-sheet.pdf |
| Florida Department of Protection Home Page | http://www.dep.state.fl.us |
| Mercury Lamp Regulations | www.dep.state.fl.us/legal/rules/waste/62-737/62-737.pdf |
| Chapter 62-730 hazardous waste 2012 | www.dep.state.fl.us/legal/Rules/waste/62-730/62-730.pdf |
| Mercury Web Pages | http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm |
