Fluorescent bulb recycling with prepaid return shipping
UES sends you containers designed for spent fluorescent lamps, with prepaid return shipping. Fill the containers at your facility, then send them back for recycling when they're full.
Need containers or have full boxes ready to go? We reply the same business day. No account required to ask.
How the container program works
UES provides the containers, you fill them with spent lamps, and the full containers are returned for recycling.
- We send the containers. Cardboard lamp containers arrive with prepaid return labels.
- You fill them at your facility. Spent fluorescent lamps stay contained and separate from other waste.
- Full containers go to recycling. Once a container is full, it is closed and returned using the prepaid shipping label.
- We help determine how many you need. Tell us the lamp type and roughly how many you generate, and we'll help size the program for your facility.
- Designed to reduce breakage. Keeping lamps enclosed during storage and transportation helps protect them from damage before they reach the recycler.
How fluorescent lamps are regulated
Many fluorescent lamps contain mercury. Under federal rules, lamps that are hazardous waste can be managed under the Universal Waste Rule, which provides specific requirements for storage, labeling and transportation. State requirements can vary.
One of the most important requirements is preventing breakage. Containers used for universal waste lamps must be structurally sound, kept closed and suitable for containing the lamps during storage and transportation.
If you also have batteries, ballasts, other lamp types or electronic waste, see our Universal Waste page.
How fluorescent bulb recycling works
Tell us what lamps you generate and roughly how many. We'll help determine the containers you need and get the program started.
Tell us about your lamps
Send us your location, the types of fluorescent lamps you have and roughly how many you generate.
We send the containers
We'll determine how many containers your site needs and send them with prepaid return labels.
You fill and return them
Keep spent lamps in the containers. When a container is full, close it and return it for recycling using the prepaid label.
Your service is recorded
Your recycling history is kept with your UES service records and available through the Customer Portal.
Where we offer fluorescent bulb recycling
UES offers fluorescent bulb recycling to businesses in 28 states. Select your state to see local coverage and the facilities that serve your area.
City pages: Baltimore Washington, DC Wilmington Philadelphia Trenton Newark and Old Bridge Casa Grande Phoenix.
Common questions
What lamps do you collect?
This program is for spent fluorescent lamps. If you also have other lamp types, batteries, ballasts or electronic waste, UES can help with those through our Universal Waste services.
Do we need to provide our own boxes?
No. UES provides the lamp containers and prepaid return labels. Tell us what types of lamps you use and approximately how many you generate, and we'll help determine the quantity you need.
Why are special containers used?
Fluorescent lamps can break during storage and transportation. Keeping them in closed, purpose-built containers helps protect the lamps and meet applicable handling requirements. EPA requires universal waste lamps to be kept in containers adequate to prevent breakage.
Can fluorescent bulbs go in the regular trash?
Requirements depend on the lamp and the state where your facility is located. Fluorescent lamps that qualify as hazardous waste can be managed under federal universal waste rules, and states may have additional or stricter requirements. Recycling keeps the lamps in a controlled waste stream and recovers their usable materials.
What if some of our bulbs are already broken?
Clean up broken lamps right away and place them in a closed container, as EPA's universal waste rules require. Then tell us, because broken lamps may need a different container for shipping and state requirements can vary.
Tell us about your fluorescent lamps
Tell us what types of lamps you have, roughly how many you generate and where your facility is located. We'll help determine the containers and recycling setup you need.
- No account or contract required to ask
- A person replies the same business day
- Already a customer? Use the Customer Portal instead
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