Waste lamps include inoperable, broken, or spent electric lamps or bulbs. Waste lamps are a potential safety and environmental concern because they may contain mercury or other toxic heavy metals. Additionally, several types of waste lamps are hazardous and regulated as universal waste.
Since they contain toxic materials, universal waste lamps have specific federally mandated management and recycling requirements. Postal Service™ sites must store universal waste lamps in closed containers that are clearly labeled and properly train employees that manage these wastes. Additionally, sites must arrange for universal waste lamp/bulb pick-up (or mailback) and subsequent off-site recycling within 1 year (365 days) of the day the wastes were generated. Employees must also maintain accurate recycling records.
For more information about universal waste management requirements for waste lamps, please review the Waste Lamp Management Environmental Compliance Bulletin at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/environmental/_pdf/waste/ecb-waste-lamps.pdf.
The table shown here lists common types of lamps used by the Postal Service that must be managed as universal waste.
Hazardous (Mercury-Containing) Lamps
|
Fluorescent Lamps
(Linear, U-shaped, circular, or CFL)
|
Includes 4-foot and 8-foot linear, U-shaped, circular, and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs. Also includes “green-tipped” or “low-mercury” lamps, which must be managed the same way as other fluorescent lamps.
|
Neon Lamps
|
Often used in brightly colored signs, neon lights that emit colors other than red use gases that may contain mercury.
|
HID Lamps
|
High intensity discharge (HID) lamps are often associated with large interior spaces with high ceilings, such as warehouses, and exterior lighting, or peripheral security lighting, streetlights, and fuel island lighting. These lamps may also be found in newer motor vehicle headlights, as well as LCD or DLP projection television sets or projection displays.
|
Hazardous (Heavy Metal-Containing) Lamps
|
LED Lamps
|
LED lamps may contain federally regulated metals, such as lead, chromium, or selenium. Note that multiple, individual LED bulbs are typically contained in an LED lamp
|
The Postal Service has contracts for universal waste management with Cleanlites Recycling, Inc. (Cleanlites). The scope of services is available in eBuy Plus and includes both mailback recycling containers and on-site waste pick-up.
Additional contract information is available to Postal Service employees in the following Material Logistics Bulletins (MLBs):
n Mailback Recycling Containers: MLB-CO-19-003
at blue.usps.gov/supplymanagement/_pdf/am_
nmcs_mlb19-003.pdf.
n On-Site Waste Pick-Up: MLB-CO-18-003 at blue.usps.gov/supplymanagement/_pdf/am_
nmcs_mlb18-003.pdf.
Important Safety Reminder: Do not send waste bulbs or lamps through the mail to the Atlanta Mail Recovery Center, Ybor City Processing and Distribution Center (Tampa Logistics and Distribution Center), or the Topeka Material Distribution Center.
