Purpose: This SOP is intended for Post Office™ facilities that accumulate less than 100 lamps in a year to effectively recycle their lamps using a shipping strategy available through a USPS-approved recycling contractor. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) universal waste regulations require that used fluorescent lamps are not accumulated for more than one year. This means you must recycle your used fluorescent lamps within one year of start of accumulation. ‘Start of Accumulation’ means the date when the first lamp is put into the lamp recycling box. This SOP was created to assist Post Offices with this environmental requirement. The following instructions must be followed 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, or has non-approved contents, or the wrong items are shipped, or if packaging other than the contracted box is used.
Applicability: This program is designed for Post Offices located in the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. By using the eBuy2 system, you can purchase a box to recycle your fluorescent lamps using a mailback service. The price includes everything that you will need including the box, shipping, environmental records, and recycling of the lamps. Choose a box that meets your facility needs.
Package Ordering Procedures: To start the process of recycling lamps, you should start by ordering the recycling boxes for proper storage of used fluorescent bulbs waiting for recycling. The following three boxes are available from USPS-approved vendors and can be found on the eBuy2 home page listed in the USPS-preferred products box as Fluorescent/Used Bulb Mailback Boxes. Note that when you purchase a box, you are pre-paying the recycling fee and the USPS® mailing fee. USPS is the only mailing option for this contract. An eight foot box will be added at a later date.
4 Foot Fluorescent Box with Liner 6" x 6" x 48" 3lbs.
Capacity: 16-T12 or 39-T8 4 ft. Straight Fluorescent Lamps ONLY
Catalogue Part Number
4 Foot Fluorescent Box with Liner 8.5" x 8.5" x 48" 4.6lbs.
Capacity: 30-T12 or 39-T8 4 ft. Straight Fluorescent Lamps ONLY
Catalogue Part Number
Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) Box with Liner 16" x 16" x 24" 4.6lbs.
Capacity: 22-T12 or 32-T8 U tubes, miscellaneous amounts of high intensity discharge lamps or up to 250 compact fluorescent lamps
Catalogue Part Number
Note: These specific procedures are those of the Recycler. In order not to accrue additional costs, please follow the Recycler’s specific instructions.
1. Place the provided pre-printed label from Stericycle on the box.
a. For Maine facilities: waste lamps are to be shipped under a hazardous waste manifest as a Universal Waste. Please call the North Coast Services, LLC customer service number,
603-610-7901, to arrange for pickup.
b. Ensure the lamps are placed inside the poly lined cardboard sleeve.
2. Prepare the package:
a. Shape the box, locate the end marked bottom and close flaps in order. Tape all edges and corners with 2" tape. Open the package and ensure that all corners, edges, flaps, and seams are properly sealed with 3" minimum clear package tape.
b. The poly bag lines the cardboard sleeve insert with overlap at the top.
c. Place the sleeve with the liner into the box.
3. Fill the box with used fluorescent lamps.
a. Carefully fill the box with the appropriate lamps, which are dependent on the box model purchased. Only intact lamps may be recycled using this container. A broken lamp is classified as a hazardous waste and must be disposed of accordingly.
b. High Intensity Discharge Lamps (HIDs) must be placed in the original manufacturer box or wrapped in newspaper prior to placing them in the box.
c. Do not exceed capacity. An additional fee will apply and lamps may crowd and break, causing a hazardous waste stream.
d. When not in use, keep the box closed and place in universal waste storage area. Ensure the ACCUMULATION START DATE has been written on the box. The accumulation start date is defined as the date when the first item was placed in the box.
4. Shipping the box.
a. When the box is full and lamps are packed according to the instructions, seal the poly liner with packaging tape 3" minimum width. Ensure the sealed liner is completely inside the box.
b. Close the flaps and tape all corners, edges, and seams with 3" packaging tape.
To obtain your facility certificate of recycling go to the following link: http://usps.stericor.com/. You will find this login in screen:
1. Type in the following information into the available fields:
Login: uspsorders
Password: RainOrShine!
2. The screen now shows the orders in a list either in a “Fulfilled” or “Unfulfilled” state.
3. You can click on the link that says “Click here for PDF Order Summary/Certificate of Recycling” to acquire the order information and the Certificates of Recycling.
4. Once you click on the PDF link, you will see this:
Scroll to the Bundle Section and you will see the return tracking number and the delivery date, if the box has been received.
5. Click on the PDF icon to see the Certificate of Recycling. Print the Certificate of Recycling from the PDF viewer. File the Certificate of Recycling in your facility environmental files. The Certificate of Recycling can only be viewed if the shipper has validated to the Stericycle system that the box has been received for processing.
6. For questions related to the use of the website or issues recovering your documents, please call the Stericycle support hotline at 888-736-9868.
Special Instructions for State of Maine Facilities: Waste lamps are to be shipped under a hazardous waste manifest as a Universal Waste. Please call the North Coast Services, LLC customer service number, 603-610-7901, to arrange for pickup.
Mailback Recycling Assistance: For specific help, contact Stericycle customer service at 888-736-9868.
n For guidance and training 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.
n Fluorescent Lamps Recycling Poster.
— Corporate Sustainability Initiatives,
Office of Sustainability, 12-11-14
