How to Recycle Emergency and Exit Lighting
Hardwired or plug-in emergency lights and exit signs. Two families: battery-backup electric units, and tritium (self-luminous) signs that need radioactive-materials disposal.
Quick answer
Battery-backup exit and emergency lights are e-waste: remove the NiCd, NiMH, lithium, or sealed lead-acid pack for battery recycling, then recycle the fixture. Self-luminous tritium exit signs are radioactive, NRC-regulated, and must never go in ordinary trash or a normal e-waste bin. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Battery scrap may offset contractor removal; tritium disposal is a compliance cost
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Identify the type: wired battery-backup vs always-glowing tritium with a radioactive label
- 2For battery units, de-energize safely (electrician for hardwired), remove the battery pack, and recycle battery and fixture separately
- 3For tritium signs, transfer the sign only to the manufacturer, distributor, licensed radioactive-waste broker, or licensed low-level waste facility. Do not trash one or take it apart yourself
- 4If a tritium vial is damaged, evacuate and call trained responders; do not clean it like a CFL
Where to Recycle
- Certified e-waste recyclers (battery-backup fixtures)
- Battery recyclers / electrical contractors (SLA and NiCd packs)
- Licensed radioactive-materials handlers (tritium signs)
- Manufacturer take-back for tritium models
Special Instructions
Tritium exit signs contain radioactive tritium gas in sealed vials (EPA RadTown / NRC). Unwanted signs require a manufacturer, distributor, licensed radioactive-waste broker, or licensed low-level waste facility. They cannot go in municipal trash, household hazardous waste, or ordinary e-waste. Battery-backup units usually use NiCd or sealed lead-acid; larger SLA packs often go through battery wholesalers or contractors rather than a small Call2Recycle consumer kiosk.
Environmental Impact
Proper paths keep cadmium, lead, and tritium out of landfill and incinerator ash.
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- LED and fluorescent emergency light heads
- Electric EXIT fixtures with battery backup
- Replacement battery packs
Not Accepted
- Tritium signs in ordinary trash or standard e-waste
- Units still required by active fire code without a replacement plan
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: Battery scrap may offset contractor removal; tritium disposal is a compliance cost
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
Hazardous Components
- NiCd, NiMH, lithium, or sealed lead-acid batteries
- Tritium gas in self-luminous signs
- Circuit boards
FAQs
How do I spot a tritium exit sign?
It glows without wiring or a battery compartment and carries a permanent radioactive-materials warning label. All four letters stay lit when intact.
Can I put the backup battery in a Call2Recycle box?
Small consumer-format packs sometimes yes. Larger sealed lead-acid exit-sign batteries often need a battery wholesaler, contractor, or HHW path instead.
Who removes hardwired emergency lights?
A licensed electrician. Confirm fire-code requirements before removing anything still protecting an occupied building.
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