Air Cycle understands that you may have questions about recycling. Listed below are some of the more common questions we are asked. Please click on the question, to read the answer.
- Why can't I just throw my lamps in the trash?
- Tell me more about Air Cycle Corporation's recycling program...
- What happens to the lamps once they are picked up?
- Do I have to count every lamp before they are picked up?
- How should the waste be packaged prior to pick-up?
- Does Air Cycle provide packaging material? Boxes? Drums?
- What if I want to set up an organization-wide recycling program?
How can I get more information on the machines and/or this recycling service?
Contact Air Cycle Corporation today! »
Why can't I just throw my lamps in the trash?
Lamps contain mercury and in most cases are considered hazardous. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the management of spent lamps. Most states do not allow hazardous lamps to be disposed in solid waste landfills.
Tell me more about Air Cycle Corporation's recycling program...
Air Cycle Corporation offers a recycling program throughout North America for crushed lamps, as well as intact lamps, ballasts, batteries, and computer hardware. We pride ourselves in offering aggressive pricing to our customers. A toll-free number is available for scheduling or questions. All facilities are properly permitted and provide documentation that the recycling was completed within applicable EPA regulations.
What happens to the lamps once they are picked up?
The lamps are transported to a permitted facility to be processed. The lamps are recycled in machines designed to break down the lamp and then separate the glass, metal, and mercury. Once the glass is clean of the mercury it can be reused as well as the metal and mercury. After the lamps are processed, a Certificate of Recycling will be issued for your records to document that your lamps were properly recycled by a permitted facility.
Do I have to count every lamp before they are picked up?
No. Each recycling facility will count the lamps and you will be billed accordingly.
How should the waste be packaged prior to pick-up?
Intact Lamps - All lamps must be packaged in a manner to "minimize" breakage. The OEM box is the most popular method of packaging. If the OEM box is not available, fiber drums are a simple alternative. Because they have lids, fiber drums provide a time advantage to boxing and taping. All lamps must be free of foreign material, including tape (on the actual lamp) and paper sleeves.
Crushed Lamps - Crushed lamps must be sealed in a steel 55-gallon drum complete with locking ring and lid. There cannot be any extraneous material such as wire, trash, or liquids in the drum or it will be returned.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps - Lamps should be placed tightly in cardboard boxes or plastic buckets with lids so they don't moce around and break during transit. We highly recommend plastic buckets with lids to minimize mercury exposure in case bulbs break.
Ballast - Non-leaking ballast should be packaged in a 55- gallon steel drum with locking ring and lid. These drums must also be free of any other foreign material. Leaking ballast should be placed in a plastic bag or a similar material to prevent contaminating the non-leaking ballast, and placed in a separate pail or drum.
Batteries - All batteries should be separated and packaged in a manner that will minimize spilling during transport. The most popular container is a 5-gallon pail. 55- gallon drums also work well if the quantity of materials can justify this size. Larger lead acid batteries should be palletized and shrink- wrapped with slip sheets between each row of batteries. Also, all holes must be plugged to reduce the leaking of acid. Computer - There is no exact way to package computers. The simplest way is to use gaylord boxes with lids. Because these are not always available, palletizing and shrink-wrapping is the next best alternative. Smaller components can be placed in any kind of box or secondary containment.
Does Air Cycle provide packaging material? Boxes? Drums?
Air Cycle can provide boxes, fiber drums, or steel drums throughout North America.
What if I want to set up an organization-wide recycling program?
If you have multiple locations, or are interested in setting up a recycling program for your entire company, Greener Results can help. Click here to learn more.
