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Illinois Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations

Illinois Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Regulations

Quick Facts:

  • Due to mercury concerns, recycling fluorescent bulbs is highly recommended by the Illinois EPA and is required for many facilities throughout the state
  • Crushing fluorescent bulbs is allowed in Illinois
  • Crushed bulbs are considered universal waste in Illinois
  • Prepaid recycling by mail is allowed in Illinois

Recycling Options Available in Illinois:

THE BULB EATER

Crushes fluorescent lamps of any size while removing mercury vapors. Reduces labor, recycling costs, and storage vs. packing lamps

Request Pricing
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EASYPAK RECYCLING CONTAINERS

Fill up containers with bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste at your own pace and mail back via prepaid shipping

Start Now

BULK RECYCLING PICKUPS

For larger amounts of bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste. Trucks come pick up waste at your location for recycling

Schedule a Pickup
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Questions about recycling in your state? Contact us for more information. 

Detailed Illinois 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 the 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.
Illinois same Waste must go to RCRA Sub-C facility or state equivalent same Crushing by generator allowed as UW.

State Regulatory Contacts

Primary Contact Title Agency Address Phone E-Mail
Mark Crites Environmental Protection Engineer

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land, Permit Section

1021 N. Grand Ave. 

Springfield, IL 62794

(217) 524-3269 mark.crites@epa.state.il.us
Secondary Contact Title Phone Area of Responsibility
  Permit Section Switchboard (217) 524-3269  

More Resources

Web Links and Informational Resources
Uni. Waste Management (PDF) www.aircycle.com/local/pdf/illinois.pdf
Fact Sheet, Managing Used Lamps https://www.epa.state.il.us/land/fluorescent-lamps/
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Home Page www.epa.state.il.us/

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