When it’s time to discard a fluorescent lamp that has stopped working, you might be tempted to discard it with your regular trash. However, you should not do that under any circumstances. Fluorescent lamps contain a small amount of mercury, and if you place them into a regular trash receptacle, that mercury could potentially do harm to those who come into contact with it. Mercury exposure can lead to memory impairment, skin irritation, and more. It can also harm the environment, which is why fluorescent lamp recycling is so important.
When you get rid of fluorescent lamps, you should always place them directly into fluorescent bulb disposal containers. For starters, these containers will prevent the fluorescent lamps from breaking and making a big mess. They will also prevent the mercury that is inside of them from ever getting out. When you use fluorescent bulb disposal containers to recycle fluorescent lamps, you will be doing the right thing both for people and the planet.
In addition to reducing the risks associated with the mercury in fluorescent lamps when you recycle them, you will also prevent your business from incurring fines by disposing of fluorescent lamps properly. The Electronic Waste Recycling Act calls for proper disposal of fluorescent lamps and makes it illegal for you to place them into the regular trash. You could face a fine of up to $25,000 if you don’t recycle fluorescent lamps, so it’s extra important to make sure you do it. You should also make sure you work with a company that can take your fluorescent lamps from you and recycle them.
Container Distributors can provide you with the fluorescent bulb disposal containers you need to dispose of your fluorescent lamps. We specialize in providing offices, schools, hospitals, banks, and other businesses with these containers. Call us at 800-366-5098 today to order some for your establishment so that you can start throwing your fluorescent lamps out more carefully.