Upgrading to LED - how do I recycle old fluorescent lamps and ballasts?

[sw_ross]

As I have been gradually upgrading existing fixtures to 4-foot LED tubes (also bypassing the ballast) I've decided I need to learn more about recycling options for old lamps and ballasts.

I'm tired of just tossing them into the dumpster (no recycling requirements where I live), as well as feeing guilty about it, even though I feel good about promoting and installing LED's!

What recycling options do I have for lamps and ballasts? How do I start down that road? Ideally I would pass on any costs with my customers (or maybe share the costs?).

Thanks, Sky

 

[JFletcher]

For bulbs, prepaid boxes to ship them out for recycling:

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/7...BaseShopping&gclid=CI3pgeG-iM4CFReRfgodNLoOPA

For ballasts, here is a link:

http://www.lightingresourcesinc.com/services/ballast-recycling-services

Note that the ALTO designated bulbs have low enough mercury content to go into a standard dumpster, even in CA.

 

[mopowr steve]

I just take my ballasts to the local metal scrap yard. They just put them in shred class of stuff at one time they were giving a dollar/10 lbs of ballasts. If I remember right, the big slimline and Ho ballasts weighed that each.

 

[ptonsparky]

As I have been gradually upgrading existing fixtures to 4-foot LED tubes (also bypassing the ballast) I've decided I need to learn more about recycling options for old lamps and ballasts.

I'm tired of just tossing them into the dumpster (no recycling requirements where I live), as well as feeing guilty about it, even though I feel good about promoting and installing LED's!

What recycling options do I have for lamps and ballasts? How do I start down that road? Ideally I would pass on any costs with my customers (or maybe share the costs?).

Thanks, Sky

Never share the costs, they are his, plus markup if need be.

 

[Barbqranch]

When I exchanged around 700 T8 tubes at this plant, I put those that weren't too dark on the ends in the boxes the new tubes came in, around 15 per box, and we gave them to anyone that wanted them, as-is, no warranty. Got rid about half that way, the rest went into a couple of those pre-paid recycle boxes

 

[peter d]

We usually just throw them in the nearest reservoir.

 

[Solanaceae]

Led 4 foot tubes are GROSS! They are bad, as in near uv wavelengths cause fluorescing of your lens. Also, not to mention driver failures in the craptastic ones, leading to anything from dimming out to flashing. Sure, fluorescent does that too occasionally (less often on good ol magnetic ballasts) but it's shameful for that to happen with the lighting that's supposed to outlast fluorescents.