- 1Handle with extreme care - tubes are fragile
- 2Keep tubes in original protective sleeves or cardboard
- 3Transport in upright position when possible
- 4Never attempt to remove from fixtures while energized
- 5Wear safety glasses when handling
- 6Bundle similar lengths together for transport
- Commercial lamp recyclers
- Hazardous waste facilities
- Electrical supply stores
- Some hardware stores
- Waste management facilities
NEVER put in regular trash. Contains mercury and lead. Federal regulations require proper disposal. Commercial generators may need manifest documentation.
Each 4-foot tube contains 5-15mg of mercury. Proper recycling recovers 99.99% of mercury, aluminum end caps, and phosphor powder. Prevents contamination of 2,000-6,000 gallons of water per tube.
Accepted
- T12 tubes (1.5" diameter, being phased out)
- T8 tubes (1" diameter, most common)
- T5 tubes (5/8" diameter, high efficiency)
- U-bent fluorescent tubes
- Circular fluorescent tubes
- High-output and very high-output tubes
Not Accepted
- Broken tubes (require special hazmat protocols)
- Tubes with fixtures still attached
- Tubes containing PCBs (pre-1979, require special handling)
- UV germicidal lamps (different mercury content)
Estimated value: $0.75-2.00 per 4-foot tube in recovered materials
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
- Mercury vapor (5-15mg per tube)
- Lead in end caps
- Phosphor coating powder
What's the difference between T8, T12, and T5 tubes?
The number refers to diameter in eighths of an inch. T12 (1.5") are older and being phased out, T8 (1") are most common, T5 (5/8") are newer high-efficiency tubes.
Can I recycle the metal fixtures too?
Yes, but separately. Remove all tubes first, then recycle metal fixtures as scrap metal. Ballasts may contain PCBs and require special handling.
What happens if a tube breaks during transport?
Ventilate area immediately, avoid vacuuming, sweep up with stiff paper, and place fragments in sealed container. Contact hazmat disposal service.