Rules for connecting waste bulbs

It is forbidden to simply throw away such lamps in the trash, as in the production of fluorescent light sources, toxic substances are used: mercury, zinc, phosphate, for disposal of which special measures are required.

To dispose of the spent vial, it must be transported to special reception points at REU or DEZ. You can find out the availability of these points in your city on the city portal.

If for family consumers there is no regulation on the disposal of spent CFLs and only the conscience and awareness of people can hope for, then for legal entities and entrepreneurs it is provided for in this clause.

Companies that use fluorescent lamps must enter into an agreement to dispose of already used waste with specialized organizations licensed for the disposal and recycling of toxic waste. In turn, companies providing services must use a special container of hermetic construction.

By the way, it is not at all necessary to get rid of stagnant housekeepers. Sometimes they can be easily repaired with their own hands.

Storage requirements

Obviously, you are not going to carry every burnt-out bulb every time to a company for disposal. It is recommended to equip a separate place for storing energy-efficient light sources. Therefore, in accordance with the requirements of public services, fluorescent lamps should be stored observing the following rules:

1. Each individual vial should be placed in a cardboard container, while the fluorescent bulbs should be sorted by size.
2. The room should be removed from the workplace, while being well ventilated and spacious. You also need to make sure that no unauthorized person has access to the housekeepers’ storage area.
3. The room must be equipped with all necessary means for removing mercury (mercury removal).

Responsibility is also provided for improper storage of energy-saving lamps, so it is strictly forbidden to store lamps in large quantities!

What to do if the vial breaks at home?

Modern CFL bulbs do not contain a drop of mercury, but only its vapor, which confirms the label on the box:

So if your rescue llama crashes, do not look for mercury on the floor, just remove the glass parts with a damp cloth or tissue, after wearing rubber gloves. You immediately need to remove children and animals from the buildings, do not expose them to the risk of inhaling mercury vapor.

Debris that has fallen on carpets should not be collected with a vacuum cleaner, as it will aggravate the situation and become a source of contamination with hazardous substances. In this case, the usual packing tape will help, the sticky side collects fragments of the broken bulb. You need to collect garbage in a glass jar or bag with a cloth and gloves, and then deliver it to a specialized collection point.

You should know that  penetration of mercury into the body often occurs through inhalation of vapors. With a large concentration, it affects the central nervous system, liver and musculoskeletal system. After cleaning the glass, it is enough to ventilate the room for at least two hours.

That’s all I wanted to tell you about getting rid of fluorescent lamps in the institution and at home. We hope our guide was useful to you. Remember that the state of the environment also depends on you!

It will be interesting to read:

• How to protect yourself from electromagnetic radiation
• How to remove a broken lamp
• How to pay less for light