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South Carolina Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations

Quick Facts:

  • Due to mercury concerns, recycling fluorescent bulbs is highly recommended by the South Carolina Dept. of Health and Environmental Control and is required for many facilities throughout the state
  • Crushing fluorescent bulbs is allowed in South Carolina
  • Prepaid bulb recycling by mail is allowed in South Carolina

Recycling Options Available in South Carolina:

THE BULB EATER

Crushes fluorescent lamps of any size while removing mercury vapors. Reduces labor, recycling costs, and storage vs. packing lamps

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EASYPAK RECYCLING CONTAINERS

Fill up containers with bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste at your own pace and mail back via prepaid shipping

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BULK RECYCLING PICKUPS

For larger amounts of bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste. Trucks come pick up waste at your location for recycling

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Questions about recycling in your state? Contact us for more information. 

Detailed South Carolina 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.
South Carolina same same same same

State Regulatory Contacts

Primary Contact Title Agency Address Phone E-Mail
Carroll Burley Environmental Health Manager

Department of Health and Environmental Control

2600 Bull St. Columbia, SC 29201

(803) 896-4141 burleycc@dhec.sc.gov
Secondary Contact Title Phone Area of Responsibility
Karen Owens Business Recycling Assistance Program, Department of Commerce (803) 737-0239 Business recycling
Bob Burgess Waste Minimization Section (803) 896-8986 Business recycling
Pam Bergstrand Hydrogeologist (803) 896-4236 Recycling questions
Shelley Sherritt Section Manager, Operating Engineering Section (803) 896-4189 Permitting
Willy Morgan Permitting Liaison (803) 896-8983 Permitting
Richard Chesley Section Manager, Technical Assistance (803) 896-4209 Recycling questions
Eric Melaro Program Coordinator (803) 896-4231 Recycling questions
  DHEC Main Number (803) 898-3432  

More Resources

Web Links and Informational Resources
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Home Page http://www.scdhec.gov/
Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Best Management Practices http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/lwm/recycle/pubs/sb_fluorescent.pdf

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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

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"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."

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