Small and medium-sized businesses in Wisconsin may be unaware that they are contributing to a serious environmental issue in our state. You have probably heard of the consumption limits being imposed on fish in Wisconsin due to mercury contamination. One of the sources of that mercury contamination comes from the improper disposal of fluorescent light bulbs. Because of this problem, Wisconsin businesses are required by law to recycle their spent fluorescent bulbs. However, thanks to increasing awareness about this problem and the need to keep mercury out of the environment, the process for recycling fluorescent bulbs is easier than ever.
To safely dispose of your spent fluorescent light bulbs and be in compliance with state laws, follow these 4 easy steps. 1. Store spent fluorescent bulbs in a way that will prevent them from breaking such as in the boxes the new fluorescent bulbs came in. 2. Label the boxes with the words "Universal Waste Bulbs." 3. If a bulb breaks store it in a sealed container. 4. Contact a fluorescent bulb recycler near you for disposal. Bulb recyclers are easy to find by using the DNR directory mentioned on the BeSmart website http://http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/markets/www_resources.html. Some bulb recyclers offer transportation services while others may ask you to safely transport your own bulbs to their facility.
Using fluorescent lighting is smart. Fluorescent bulbs last 10 times longer, operate at a cooler temperature, and use less energy while providing the same brightness and color as incandescent bulbs. But fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and other toxic heavy metals which if ingested can have negative impacts on human health.
The mercury in fluorescent light bulbs poses no risk to human health when it is safely encapsulated within the light. The problem with mercury arises at the end of a fluorescent bulb's life span. Improper disposal of a fluorescent bulb to a landfill or other disposal method creates the risk of mercury finding its way into our lakes, streams, and other watercourses and ultimately into the food chain. When mercury reaches a lake, river, or stream, it can be absorbed by fish through their food or directly from the water. Once absorbed by the fish the mercury tightly binds to proteins in the fish tissue and can then easily move up the food chain and be consumed by humans. It is because of this environmental and human health threat that businesses in Wisconsin are required to recycle their spent fluorescent light bulbs instead of discarding them with their everyday waste.
For more information about fluorescent bulbs and how to recycle them visit the fluorescent bulb recycling page of the BeSmart website at http://www.besmart.org/hazwaste/business/bulb.html.
