All About Fluorescent Lamp Recycling NJ

By Madeline Finch


Fluorescent lamps do contain mercury, but it is stored within the glass, and it doesn't emit dangerous substances in the air. When concerned about the possibilities for fluorescent lamp recycling NJ residents can address the authorities about it. Other relevant information can be found online.

The use of fluorescent lamps is greatly promoted by the USA Government. They use significantly less energy, and last much longer than incandescent lamps. By using them, you are reducing the air pollution and save the energy at the same time. Reducing of greenhouse gasses emission is highly important today.

Although those lamps are quite harmless when intact, they might be very dangerous in case you break one of them. There are some things you should do immediately in such cases. Shut down your air condition and open the windows. Send all your family members and pets away and close this room for 15 minutes or so.

In case of a direct contact with mercury, all clothes and shoes should be discarded. Do not walk over this area to avoid spreading those substances around. Smooth surfaces can be successfully cleaned, but you need to follow certain instructions for safely dealing with toxic materials. Here are some of basic advices about it.

Put on your latex or rubber gloves and carefully pick up all the broken pieces, placing them on a paper towel. Use a squeegee or a piece of cardboard to gather visible beads. You can also use a paintbrush with some shaving cream on to collect smaller beads. Everything that you collect should be stored in secured plastic bags and properly labeled.

If you have a carpet, you might consider cutting out the polluted part. In this case, you should also place it into secured, labeled plastic bag. In any case, never use a vacuum cleaner for that purpose. It would increase the exposure to mercury. The same thing is with using of a broom. If anything came in direct contact with it, it should be discarded, properly labeled and secured.

Your air condition system can also spread the polluted air, and you should shut it down. Duct tape can be very useful for collecting very small particles. Just make sure to put all contaminated items in one sealed plastic bag and label it properly. You shouldn't keep the bag inside. Some universal waste recycling centers can take care of it.

If you have burned out lamps, or you don't want to use them any more, even if they are still intact, take them to your local recycling center. You can also check the DEP list to find out which retail stores or hardware stores in your area are accepting such waste to recycle it for free. Just make sure not to throw them with your regular trash, because it isn't allowed.

All they need to know about fluorescent lamp recycling NJ residents can find on the Internet. They will also find the list of stores accepting this type of dangerous waste. Even if you know that the amount of mercury inside one fluorescent lamp is really very small, just a small portion of the amount thermometers contain, it is good to be careful, especially if you have children.




About the Author: