For Post Office™ facilities that accumulate less than 100 lamps in a year, this SOP shows how to effectively recycle those lamps using a shipping strategy available through a USPS®-approved recycling contractor. United States Environmental Protection Agency universal waste regulations require that used fluorescent lamps not accumulate for more than one year. This means you MUST recycle used fluorescent lamps within one year of the start of accumulation, which means the date when the first lamp is put into the RecyclePAK. This SOP is intended to assist Post Offices with this environmental requirement — follow these instructions to ensure safe package, storage, and shipment of the container.
Note: An additional fee may be charged if the purchased lamp recycling package exceeds the stated capacity, has non-approved contents, contains the wrong items, or if packaging other than the RecyclePAK is used.
This program is designed for Post Offices located in the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. By using the postal eBuy2 system, you can purchase a box to recycle your fluorescent lamps using a pick-up service. The price includes everything that you need to recycle fluorescent lamps, including the box, shipping, and environmental records. Choose a box that meets your facility needs.
To start the recycling process, order the boxes for proper storage of used fluorescent bulbs you need to recycle. The following three boxes are available from USPS-approved vendors and on the eBuy2 home page listed in the USPS-preferred products box as Fluorescent/Used Bulb Mailback Boxes:
n Supply-044: Holds 16 T12 or 39 T8 8' straight fluorescent lamps ONLY.
n Supply-098: Holds 16 T12 or 39 T8 4' straight fluorescent lamps ONLY.
n Supply-126: Holds 22 T12 or 32 T8 U tubes, miscellaneous amounts of high intensity discharge lamps, or up to 250 compact fluorescent lamps.
Note: When you purchase a box, you pre-pay the recycling fee and the FedEx fee. FedEx is the only approved carrier for taking the boxes to the recycler. The recycler has contracted FedEx as their shipper. These specific procedures are those of the Recycler. In order not to accrue additional costs, please follow the Recycler’s specific instructions:
n When you receive your RecyclePAK, open and complete the return shipping label with these step-by-step instructions:
a. Open the FedEx Ground Label booklet adhered to the front of the box.
b. For Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, call the customer service toll-free number at 888-669-9725 to arrange for pick-up, if no label was included.
c. Fill out the mailing address in the “From” section on the label using the facility’s actual mailing address and include USPS as the company name. If this information is not properly filled out, A CERTIFICATE OF RECYCLING WILL NOT BE ISSUED.
d. Complete the label by checking the type of lamps you have placed in the box and enter the accumulation start date, which is defined as the date when the first item is placed in the box.
e. Apply the appropriate color-coded sticker to the FedEx Ground Label as directed by the FedEx Ground Label booklet included with the package.
n Prepare the package:
a. Open the package and ensure that all corners, edges, flaps, and seams are properly sealed with 3" minimum clear package tape.
b. Open the brown corrugated tube and place inside the liner.
c. Place the bagged tube into the RecyclePak.
d. Adhere the enclosed Velcro strips to the box on the locations marked “EZ”.
e. Close the flaps in the order marked.
n Fill the RecyclePAK with used fluorescent lamps:
a. Carefully fill the RecyclePAK with the appropriate lamps, which depend on the box model purchased. Only intact lamps may be recycled using this container. A broken lamp is classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of accordingly.
b. High Intensity Discharge Lamps must be placed in the original manufacturer’s box or wrapped in newspaper prior to placing them in the RecyclePAK.
c. Do not exceed capacity. An additional fee applies and the lamps may break and cause a hazardous waste stream.
d. Keep the box closed and place in a universal waste storage area until ready for shipment.
n Shipping the RecyclePAK:
a. When the RecyclePAK is full and the lamps are packed according to the instructions, seal the poly liner with 3" minimum width packaging tape. Ensure the sealed liner is completely inside the box.
b. Close the flaps and tape all corners, edges, and seams with 3" packaging tape.
c. Complete the Generator’s Responsibilities section on the package.
d. Call FedEx Ground at 888-777-6040 to schedule a commercial pick-up from your facility location. Containers cannot be shipped FedEx freight.
Once the certificate of recycling has been received, file with appropriate environmental facility folders to maintain environmental compliance.
n Maine facilities — contact Customer Service at
888-669-9725 prior to shipping the package.
n District of Columbia facilities must have an EPA ID number from the District’s Department of the Environment (DDOE) and comply with additional reporting requirements contained in DDOE rules. The DDOE phone number is 202-535-2600.
n Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico — if a prepaid shipping label is not enclosed, contact customer service at 888-669-9725 to arrange pick-up.
n For mailback recycling assistance — contact Veolia customer service at 888-669-9725.
For guidance on the USPS Universal Waste Program go to http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/sops.htm and http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/universal_waste_training.htm.
— Corporate Sustainability Initiatives,
Office of Sustainability, 4-18-13
