Proper Disposal of Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Nebraska Department of
Environmental
Quality

Fact Sheets

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This information is
provided by the
Nebraska Department
of Environmental Quality
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public and regulated community.

00-017

06/2000

Proper Disposal of Fluorescent Light Bulbs

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Land disposal of unregulated hazardous waste is prohibited in Nebraska. Since this ban went into effect, many questions have been raised regarding the continued disposal of fluorescent light tubes at permitted disposal areas.

In General:

Fluorescent light tubes that are generated by a household can be disposed in unlimited quantities in a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill.

Fluorescent light tubes that do not contain mercury can be disposed in unlimited quantities in a MSW landfill.

Fluorescent light tubes that contain mercury, but have been determined not to be hazardous waste, can be disposed at a MSW landfill in unlimited quantities.

Fluorescent light tubes containing mercury that are determined to be a hazardous waste, by testing or knowledge of the manufacturing process, and are generated by a business that is a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator, may be disposed in quantities up to 43 pounds per day at a MSW landfill. This is approximately 75 four-foot tubes. (See Title 132 – Integrated Solid Waste Management Regulations for definitions)

Fluorescent light tubes that are generated by businesses that are Small or Large Quantity Generators are not allowed to dispose any quantity of tubes determined to be hazardous at a MSW landfill.

For related information, please refer to Title 128 - Rules and Regulations Governing Hazardous Waste Management in Nebraska.

Produced by: Waste Management Division, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922; phone (402) 471-4210. To view this, and other information related to our agency, visit our web site at www. deq.state.ne.us.

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Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
1200 "N" Street, Suite 400
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Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
(402) 471-2186