Michigan Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations
Quick Facts:
- Due to mercury concerns, recycling fluorescent bulbs is highly recommended by the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality and is required for many facilities throughout the state
- Crushing fluorescent bulbs is allowed in Michigan with a permit to operate/install
- Prepaid recycling by mail is allowed in Michigan
Recycling Options Available in Michigan:
THE BULB EATER
Crushes fluorescent lamps of any size while removing mercury vapors. Reduces labor, recycling costs, and storage vs. packing lamps
EASYPAK RECYCLING CONTAINERS
Fill up containers with bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste at your own pace and mail back via prepaid shipping
BULK RECYCLING PICKUPS
For larger amounts of bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste. Trucks come pick up waste at your location for recycling
Questions about recycling in your state? Contact us for more information.
Detailed Michigan Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations
The stringency chart below provides examples of state regulations compared to the EPA regulations.
We strongly recommend that you discuss stringency with your primary state regulatory contact. This information should not be interpreted as definitive legal guidance. This document was produced in June 2004, and we do not guarantee its accuracy after that date, as state policies may change at any time.
("same" means the state policy is the same as the federal policy)
Confused about terminology (CESQG, UW, TCLP, etc.)? Refer to this glossary for help.
| Jurisdiction | Generator Exemption (CESQG) |
Where can waste from CESQG go? | Can waste be declared non- hazardous, based on TCLP? | Other stringency or exemptions? |
| Federal EPA | Generators producing less than 100 kg (220 pounds) of hazardous waste (HW) or 1 kg acute HW in each month, including all HW generated. CESQGs are exempt from federal rules, but not exempt from liability (40 CFR 261.5) | Waste may go to any Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) | Wastes that test less than 0.2mg/l soluble mercury are not considered hazardous under federal rules. | Crushing can only be done by generator (40 CFR 262.34); crushed waste that is not UW- must be managed as RCRA HW. Crushing not allowed within federal UWR, but may be within State UW regulations. No one may crush third-party lamps without treatment authorization [1]. No mobile treatment units. |
| Michigan | same | Waste must go to RCRA Sub-C facility or state licensed MSWLF | same | Permit to operate/install required. |
State Regulatory Contacts
| Primary Contact | Title | Agency Address | Phone | |
| Jack Schinderle | Waste Classifications Specialist |
Department of Environmental Quality, Waste and Hazardous Material Division PO Box 30241 Lansing, MI 48909 |
(517) 373-8410 | schindej@michigan.gov |
| Secondary Contact | Title | Phone and/or Email | Area of Responsibility | |
| Steve Kratzer | Mercury Pollution Prevention Specialist | (517) 373-0939 | Recycling programs | |
| Division Phone Number | (517) 335-2690 | |||
| Environmental Assistance Hotline | 1-800-662-9278 | Environmental Assistance Center | ||
| Anita Singh | Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance (OPPCA) | (517)335-2356 singha3@michigan.gov | Air Permitting | |
| Christine Grossman | OPPCA | (517)373-0590 grossmanc@michigan.gov | Waste Regulations | |
| Joy Taylor Morgan | Air Quality Division (AQD) | (517)335-6974 taylorj1@michigan.gov | Mercury | |
More Resources
| Web Links and Informational Resources | |
| Drum-Top Bulb Crusher Guidance Paper | http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-oppca-Fluorescent_Light_Drum-Top_Bulb_Crushers_294339_7.pdf |
| Drum-Top Bulb Crusher Guidance Letter | |
| Guidance Paper (PDF) | |
| Universal Waste Fact Sheet | http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-wmd-Universl.pdf |
| Fact Sheet for Lamps | http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-oea-recycling-mercury-fs_380677_7.pdf |
| Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Home Page | http://www.michigan.gov/deq |
