Many common products meet the EPA's definition of hazardous waste when they're discarded. In residential life settings, such items can include batteries, thermostats, thermometers and fluorescent lamps. Whether tubes or the new "energy-saver" lamps designed to replace conventional incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent lamps utilize a phosphor powder that contains mercury, which can be toxic.
In most cases, hazardous wastes, including fluorescent lamps, generated in a residential life setting are exempt from the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations. However, EPA recommends managing these household hazardous wastes under the RCRA requirements since this provides a greater level of environmental protection.
In order to minimize the burden of overseeing a number of diverse waste streams, the EPA has designated certain hazardous wastes, including batteries, pesticides, mercury thermostats and lamps, as "universal wastes." Universal wastes are managed under a separate set of standards (40 CFR 273) developed by the EPA. Many states also have their own, sometimes more stringent, regulations.
Proceed through this section of the tour to learn more about the requirements for handling fluorescent bulbs as a universal waste.