Some light bulbs and lamps contain toxic metals such as mercury that require special disposal. These light bulbs and lamps are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as universal waste lamps.

Most of the lamps or bulbs on campus are changed on a regular basis by Facilities personnel. Some lamps or bulbs may come from equipment that is changed by LSC Office of Technology Services (OTS), the user, or the vendor that services the equipment. These bulbs should be treated as hazardous waste when removed. Examples of bulbs or lamps that are classified as universal waste are:

• Fluorescent tubes
• High intensity discharge (HID)
• Neon
• Ultraviolet (UV)
• Mercury vapor
• High pressure sodium
• Metal halide
• Lamps that are removed from equipment by the user, should be disposed of through the Facilities Department as Hazardous Waste.

Disposal Procedures

• Place the bulb, including broken bulbs, in the box that the replacement bulb comes in or other appropriate container.
• Place the box in a plastic bag (double-bagged).
• Tape or tie the top of each bag individually.
• Affix an Hazardous Waste Tag on the outside of the outer bag.
• Contact the Facilities Department for disposal services or troubleshooting.