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How Your Lamps Get Recycled

1. Lamps are Sent to the Recycling Facility

Upon arrival at the recycling facility, lamps are removed from their containers and fed into specialized machine for recycling. The entire process is fully automatic and incorporated in a container in which the air is brought to sub-pressure, thereby preventing mercury from being released into the environment.

 

2. By-Product Separation

With the aid of a sophisticated patented air transportation system, the phosphor powder is separated in different steps from the glass and metal by-products.

 

3. Glass and Aluminum are Stored

Clean glass and aluminum end-caps are separated and stored for reuse.

4. Mercury is Isolated 

The mercury bearing powder is collected in distiller barrels beneath the cyclone and the self-cleansing dust filters.

 

5. Mercury is Extracted 

The powder is then retorted to drive out the mercury.

 

6. Elements are Ready for Reuse

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the process, the mercury is diverted from landfill while glass and aluminum have a variety of reuse applications. Phosphor powder from fluorescent lamps contains rare-earth elements that are recycled and reused in the manufacturing of various electronics.

 

7. Recycling Certificate is Issued 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the materials have been fully processed by the recycling facility, an official Certificate of Recycling will be produced for record keeping.  

See How Batteries Are Recycled

 

 

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State Compliance

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"No more challenges with fluorescent bulb and mercury recycling. We use the EasyPak recycling program and it is very simple and convenient for us."

Jim Slager, Homer School District 33-C

"It’s easy to work with TerraCycle Regulated Waste. Their personnel are very friendly and knowledgeable about their products and the availability of them."

Alice Johnson, Eastern Ship Building

"I am very satisfied with all the services TCRW performs. They do what they say they are going to do, and they are here when they are scheduled to be here, and their paperwork is easy. Their representative is very helpful and informative about all phases of service."

Hector Rodriguez, Mission CISD

"Excellent value for the money. The Bulb Eater® has immediately helped us reduce lamp storage and create a safer storage environment, while allowing us to add another item to our waste reduction efforts in the City of Auburn."

André Richardson Environmental Services, Auburn, AL