How to Safely Handle and Store Lamps

Light Bulb
  • Place waste lamps in cardboard boxes, fiber drums, or the original cardboard box from the manufacturer.
  • Place lamps in appropriately sized boxes.   If you need boxes for lamps, Onyx will supply, free of charge, during pick-ups, or Environmental Affairs has a limited supply in stock.
  • Egg crate inserts are not required, but boxes and drums should be filled to capacity, leaving no void space.
  • Avoid too tight of a fit.   This could cause an implosion.   When one lamp breaks, it causes a chain reaction and all the lamps in the package will break.
  • Separate bulbs broken by accident into a leak-proof container that will prevent leakage and releases of mercury or other hazardous constituents.   Call Environmental Affairs for any questions (x4999, 2883)
  • Do not place broken bulbs in unlined metal containers.   Metal containers will absorb mercury and may themselves become subject to hazardous waster requirements.
  • Box ends must be secured with duct tape.
  • Never tape lamps together!
  • Label the end of the box with the following sticker:
(This is a DNR regulation)

Universal Waste Lamps

Name of Campus: UW-Milwaukee

Accumulation Start Date: ________________________

Categories: (Circle One)

  • Fluorescent Lamps 4 Foot or Less
  • Fluorescent Lamps > 4 Foot
  • Compact Fluorescent Lamps
  • HID (Sodium, Metal Halide & Mercury Vapor)
  • Shatter-Shield
  • U-Tube/Circular Lamps
  • Incandescent Lamp
  • Broken Lamps

Number of Lamps: ______________________________

Attach One Label to the end of Each Box

  • You can print your own labels (Avery 5164 Labels) or contact staff in Environmental Affairs for printed labels. Additionally labels will be available at lamp storage areas.
  • Store bulbs in a safe place to avoid breakage and mark the storage area appropriately.   Lamps may be stored for no longer than one year .
  • If you accumulate enough boxes of lamps that you are palletizing them, fill out a lamp summary sheet that totals the number of lamps accumulated per pallet. Attach this sheet to the pallet.
 Waste Diagram

For any other question regarding lamp handling and storage, please contact Environmental Affairs at x4999 or x2883.

October 2, 2007 by SAK