Recycling with Bay Lighting

Recycling CFLs and fluorescent, any other mercury-containing bulbs has a multitude of benefits. Not only is it toxic to the environment, it also poses a risk to human health. While light bulbs only contain a small amount of mercury, it is a highly toxic substance. Since mercury poisoning is extremely dangerous, it’s important not to take the risk. Mercury exposure is a hazard for people and animals and can easily be spread through water and air cycles. Throwing bulbs in the garbage is also extremely unsafe. Mercury can seep into groundwater in landfills and create contaminated leachate, which can then affect drinking water supply. Phosphor, another toxic material, is present in fluorescent bulbs, and requires special handling for the same reason. Accordingly, it’s important that everyone does their part in making sure mercury from their old light bulbs is disposed of safely and properly. We make it easy with our Light Bulb Recycling Program.

Mercury is a precious metal that is considered to be in limited supply. Reusing even the trace amount in CFLs and other bulbs is critical. Mercury has many useful properties, which include the ability to expand in response to pressure and temperature, conduct electricity, and form alloys with other metals. Still, the EPA encourages people to choose products that do not contain mercury when possible.

EPA regulations – The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends working with a recycling company that complies with their ten steps. These steps are intended to ensure that bulbs are safely disposed of and won’t pose any risk to people or the environment. Bay Lighting’s EPA-compliant recycling program is a safe, hassle-free way to dispose of your CFLs and fluorescent bulbs after you replace them or upgrade to LEDs.

Program benefits – Recycling with Bay Lighting is an easy, hassle-free way to do your part in preserving the environment and protecting human health from mercury exposure. Benefits of our recycling program include:

• Lamp, ballast, and battery recycling
• Simple $2.29 per pound cost
• No hidden pickup fees or fuel surcharges
• Maximizes storage space by having your used bulbs picked up frequently
• Saves time and resources by combining lamp delivery with recycling pickup
• Customers will receive a certificate of recycling compliance

Our Process

• Removing existing lights – When removing your burnt-out CFLs, it’s important to exercise caution. Unplug the lamp or turn off the fuse-box, depending on the fixture. Designate a recycling space at your facility, collect your old lamps in separate containers to avoid breakage, seal your boxes, and schedule a pickup. We do not accept broken lamps.
• Installing new lights – We offer an array of lamps and light fixtures that can save you money in the long-term through energy savings. We consider the needs of your individual space and develop a lighting scheme that will work to achieve your goals.
• Recycling old lights – We recommend keeping the original box to store your recyclables. However, if you need a box, we sell specialty boxes for each item.

What We Recycle

• LED, fluorescent, neon, CFLs, and high-density discharge (HID) lamps
• Ballasts
• Batteries larger than size
• Detectors **

* If you do break a mercury-containing bulb, don’t panic. Follow the steps recommended by the National Capital Poison Center, which include:

1. **Ask a representative about this specialized process, as it differs from our traditional recycling program.
2. Open windows, leave the room without touching the shattered bulb, and close the door.
3. Keep all people and pets out of the room for at least 15 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat/air conditioning to avoid circulation.
5. Scoop up the pieces with paper or cardboard – not a vacuum or broom.
6. Put the pieces in a sealed, clear plastic bag.
7. Throw away any fabric that comes into contact with broken glass – do not launder it

In the state of Maryland, it is illegal to throw broken CFLs and mercury-containing bulbs away in your household garbage. Check with your county for local regulations regarding drop-off locations.