Minnesota Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations
Quick Facts:
- Due to mercury concerns, recycling fluorescent bulbs is required by law by the Minnesota Dept. of Environmental Quality
- Crushing fluorescent bulbs is not allowed in Minnesota
- Prepaid bulb recycling by mail is allowed in Minnesota
Recycling Options Available in District of Columbia:
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 Minnesota Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations
The stringency chart 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, UW, 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. |
| Minnesota | No CESQG exemption | Waste must go to RCRA Sub-C facility or state equivalent recycler | No, waste cannot be declared non-hazardous. | Crushing by generator requires permit |
State Regulatory Contacts
| Primary Contact | Title | Agency Address | Phone | |
| Melissa Wenzel | Pollution Control Specialist |
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Customer Assistance 520 Lafayette Rd St. Paul, MN 55155 |
(651) 296-5763 | melissa.wenzel@pca.state.mn.us |
| Secondary Contact | Title | Phone | Area of Responsibility | |
| Tom Townsend | Engineer | (651) 297-8375 | Compliance agreements for recycling facilities | |
| John Gilkeson | Problem Materials Program, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance | (651) 215-0199 | ||
| MPCA Main Number | (651) 296-6300 or (800) 657-3864 | |||
More Resources
| Web Links and Informational Resources | |
| Lamp Management Guide | http://www.pca.state.mn.us/waste/lightbulbs.html |
| Dept. Of Natural Resources | http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ |
| Minnesota Pollution Control Home Page | http://www.pca.state.mn.us/ |
