A Call for Action

In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency added mercury to the list of hazardous substances that are subject to the disposal rules under the Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

In 1995, the EPA issued the universal waste rule. It is designed to reduce the amount of hazardous waste items in the municipal solid waste team; encourage the recycling and proper disposal of some common hazardous wastes; and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses that generate these wastes.

Mercury-containing lamps are listed as hazardous materials. They include fluorescent, mercury vapor, sodium vapor, and metal halide lamps.

 

Solutions by Star Electric

Recycling resolves the issue of extended company liability if materials are directed away from landfill disposal. Risk management involves maintaining a good environmental compliance record, limiting company financial liability, and avoiding negative publicity. We must take an active role in minimizing and eliminating materials that threaten our business and personal well-being. Recycling is an important step toward attaining that goal.

Star Electric Supply accepts lamps, ballast and batteries for the purpose of recycling, either through our trucks or customer drop-off. We begin waste tracking the moment we receive the material. We contact our EPA approved recycle for transport and forward a "Certificate of Recycling" verifying safe environmental disposal to you, the generator (end-user) of the spent lamps, ballasts or batteries.

 

Facts on Mercury Contained Lamps

National consumption of mercury-containing fluorescent and HID lamps exceed 650 million annually. Their disposal results in over 28,000 pounds of mercury entering our environment. Spent lighting products are the second largest source of mercury contamination in our country's municipal solid waste system, and probably the easiest to eliminate.

Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), owners and operators of facilities disposing of hazardous substances may be held liable for response cost. Liability under CERCLA is broad, costly and can be retroactive.

(Burden of proof is on the end-user, not the manufacturer of the lamps, or the person who sold it.)

Call Star Electric Supply @ 316-262-1446

Or

Star Lighting & Supply @ 405-236-1519

NOW to begin a recycling program.