Fluorescent Light Tubes

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Fluorescent light tubes are considered Universal Waste due to their content of mercury vapor, which poses environmental and health hazards if released. These tubes must be handled and disposed of with care to avoid breakage and contamination.

Characteristics of Fluorescent Tubes:

  • Contain mercury vapor and phosphor powder inside the glass.
  • Can release mercury if broken.
  • Regulated under Universal Waste rules for streamlined but safe management.
  • May include compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), linear tubes (T8, T12), and UV
    germicidal bulbs.

Fluorescent Light Tubes information

  • Linear fluorescent tubes (T5, T8, T12) from classrooms, hallways, labs.
  • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) from office and residential areas.
  • UV light bulbs from biosafety cabinets or lab equipment.
  • High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps or other mercury-containing lamp

Environmental Health & Safety:

Dipak Janda (Dk) Email: Dipakjanda@sfsu.edu

Telephone: (415)-542-8046

Fluorescent Light Tube Container
Fluorescent Light Tube

E-Waste must be removed:

  • Up to 1 year from the date waste is first generated.
  • Containers must be dated upon first lamp addition.
  • Must be moved to central storage or sent for disposal within this time

Who Removes the Waste:
Facilities staff or EH&S team members retrieve and consolidate spent lamps.

Where It Is Taken:
Tubes are transferred to the Universal Waste storage area, located in a secure, labeled space within the campus hazardous materials management facility.

  • Pickups occur quarterly or when sufficient volume accumulates.
  • Emergency pickups are arranged if breakage or over-accumulation occurs.

A certified universal waste recycler or hazardous waste vendor transports the lamps.

Tubes are processed via:

  • Crushing and mercury recovery in controlled recycling systems.
  • Glass, metal, and mercury separation for reuse and environmental safety.

All handling complies with CalRecycle and EPA Universal Waste Rules (40 CFR Part 273)

Contact Information

For further information about the Fluorescent Light Tubes Management Program at SFSU or how you can get involved, please contact:

Environmental Compliance Specialist

Dipak Janda (Dk)