Fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps use up to 50% less electricity than incandescent lamps. For this reason they can be an excellent choice both economically and environmentally – provided they are properly disposed of at the end of their useful life.

When products containing mercury (such as fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps, neon lamps, high-pressure sodium lamps, metal halide lamps and mercury vapor lamps) are discarded improperly, mercury can make its way into the environment through waste incinerators, landfills and wastewater treatment facilities. When mercury reaches lakes and waterways, it builds up in the tissue of fish and wildlife, contaminating our food chain.

When humans consume enough mercury, it acts as a nerve toxin that can impair the way we see, hear, walk and talk.The Mercury from one fluorescent bulb can pollute 6,000 gallons of water beyond safe levels for drinking.

In addition to mercury, many old magnetic ballasts contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). If improperly disposed of, these materials can also leach into ground water or surface waters and cause serious health problems.

Several states have made it illegal to dispose of fluorescent lamps with regular household garbage.

Simple steps for proper lamp disposal:

• Store lamps in a way that will prevent them from breaking, like placing them inside their original boxes.
• If you have an area to store lamps that are waiting for recycling, mark the area with the words “Fluorescent lamps for recycling.”
• Do not break or crush lamps.
• Bring used lamps to Pacific Lamp Wholesale and let us recycle them for you!

Pacific Lamp is an authorized lamp recycling depot. For a modest cost,we can properly dispose of hazardous lighting materials, including

• All Fluorescents Bulbs, including tube and small compacts
• Metal Halide Lamps
• Mercury Vapor Lamps
• High Pressure Sodium Lamps
• Ballasts made prior to 1978

Call us at 503-643-6516 to find out more about our lightbulb and fixture recycling program.

Pacific Lamp Wholesale promotes Energy Star, a partnership between businesses, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Products bear this logo to help consumers identify product alternatives that help reduce energy use. Pacific Lamp is proud to supply Energy Star certified products.