NYC Metro North - Investing in fluorescent bulb crushers

Bulb Eater - Air Cycle Corporation

NYCWasteLe$$

In an effort to cut disposal costs and be more environmentally friendly, Metro North purchased a fluorescent bulb crusher and began recycling its fluorescent bulbs. The crusher is a covered 55-gallon drum that holds a crusher, vacuum, and HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to contain dust and mercury released during crushing.

The machine is currently being used on a trial basis at the Metro North shop at Croton-on-Hudson, with hopes to expand its use to other yards. This site employs about 500 employees. They recycle approximately 4,000 bulbs a month, using two to three drums a month. The filter bag is changed after the filling of each drum, and the filter is changed every ten drums. Both items are disposed of with the contents of the drums.

Before investing in the crusher, Metro North was disposing of the bulbs as universal waste at a cost of $5,000 to $6,000 per month. By turning to recycling and decreasing (via the bulb crusher) the volume of materials that needed to be handled, Metro North has reduced their bulb-handling costs to approximately $300 a drum or $900 per month.

Source: Metro North's environmental management department, Spring 2003