UW - LA CROSSE
ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN
SUBJECT: Lamp Disposal Procedures
RELEASED BY: Dan Sweetman
DATE: July 5, 1993
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, through Wisconsin Statute
NR 605, recently declared that various types of lamps are to be regulated
as hazardous wastes because they contain mercury. If these lamps are burned
or thrown into landfills, the mercury in them can be released into the
environment, where contamination problems may occur. The four type of lamps
of concern are:
- Fluorescent lamps
- High- and Low-pressure mercury vapor lamps
- Sodium-vapor lamps
- High intensity discharge (HID) lamps
Effective immediately all such lamps can not be placed in dumpsters
or other waste receptacles for disposal. The methods to be used by
all campus employees and students for recycling lamps is as follows:
- All lamps shall be placed in the cardboard sleeve or box in which replacement
lamps arrived, preferably without packing material. Care should be taken
in packaging all lamps to reduce breakage during further handling and transport.
Different length lamps should be packaged in separate containers. When
boxes are full end tabs should be folded over and taped shut. The container
shall be labeled in large, visible and legible letters with the following
information: USED LAMPS, total number of lamps in container, type (e.g.
4 foot fluorescent) of lamp and UW-La Crosse. For example, a label could
read: "24 Used 4' fluorescent lamps, UW - La Crosse".
- Lamps shall not be purposefully broken. When accidently broken use
appropriate techniques and personal protective equipment to prevent cutting
yourself. Place the broken lamp in a corrugated box wrapped in a plastic
bag or in a plastic five-gallon pail with a tight fitting lid. In addition
to the above information the statement: "Warning: broken glass enclosed
- cutting hazard" or similar warning should be placed on the outside
of the package.
- Custodial Staff shall collect all labeled "USED LAMPS"
which they replace or are given by other staff and store them in their
lamp storage area. When receiving a delivery of new lamps from Campus Stores
personnel, the "USED LAMPS" will be collected for recycling.
- Custodial Staff Supervisors shall collect all labeled "USED
LAMPS" and transport them to the designated storage location in the
Maintenance Building.
- Electricians or other Maintenance personnel that replace lamps
shall transport the labeled "USED LAMPS" to the designated storage
location in the Maintenance Building.
- All other UW - Lacrosse employees that replace lamps shall give
the labeled "USED LAMPS" to a member of the Building Custodial
Staff.
- Students in resident halls or academic settings that replace
lamps shall give the labeled "USED LAMPS" to the Custodial Staff,
a staff member or a Resident Assistant.
- The cost of recycling lamps will be billed by usage to major users
- Physical Plant, Cartwright and Whitney Centers and Residence Life.
This requirement does not currently affect residential use and disposal
of lamps.
Who Do I Contact For Additional Information
If
you have any questions regarding these procedures please contact your supervisor
or Dan Sweetman, Environmental
Health and Safety Manager, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, 855 East
Avenue North, La Crosse, WI 54601 EMail: sweetman@mail.uwlax.edu Telephone:
(608)785-6800 Fax: (608)785-6577
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Last updated May 7, 1997