How firms can cope with hazardous waste

Fluorescent lighting can be less innocuous than many think

The humble florescent tube lights up most workplaces across the country, and no-one gives it a second thought.

Yet with most such tubes containing poisonous chemicals, there are strict rules covering their disposal.

Martin Gibson, director of environmental consultancy BuildDesk, explained how small firms can best dispose of such lights back in 2005.

At the time he was director of Envirowise, the government-financed programme designed to help companies reduce their environmental costs.

QUESTION
Darrell Holmes, UK
We have heard that there are new directives on the disposal of fluorescent lights.

Is this true? Obtaining an approved disposal route could prove costly for our business?
ANSWER
Martin Gibson
You are right and this is, unfortunately, quite a complex area.

Without knowing more about your business, it isn't possible to be precise about how the directive will affect you.

One of the main issues with fluorescent lighting is the threat of the toxic materials they contain, such as mercury, cadmium (which can cause cancer) and lead, entering the atmosphere or sensitive watercourses.

I have given more details below, but would suggest you speak to your waste contractor to see if they can offer a cost-effective solution.

For some small companies, the relative cost of disposal of these tubes may seem high, but remember that modern fluorescent tubes are very energy efficient, so the running costs of the lights will have been low.

From 16 July 2005 some types of waste electrical equipment have been classified as hazardous waste under the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 and the Lists of Wastes (England) Regulations 2005.

These include TVs, computer monitors and fluorescent tubes.

Most producers of hazardous waste in England and Wales need to register with the Environment Agency. The cheapest way to register (�18 per premises) is by completing the forms online at the Environment Agency's web site.

It has been estimated that a single fluorescent tube contains enough mercury to pollute 30,000 litres of water

Certain types of premises are exempt from the requirement to register if less than 200kg of hazardous waste is produced in any twelve month period.

These include domestic premises, shops, offices, agricultural premises, dental, veterinary or medical practices, ships, schools, prisons and charity premises.

Hazardous waste needs to be recovered or disposed of at properly authorised sites.

One of the main issues with fluorescent lighting is the threat of the toxic materials they contain, such as mercury, cadmium (which can cause cancer) and lead, entering the atmosphere or sensitive watercourses.

It has been estimated that a single fluorescent tube contains enough mercury to pollute 30,000 litres of water.

Around 100 million fluorescent tubes are sold and disposed of every year in the UK.

A number of waste management companies now specialise in recycling the lamps by extracting the glass and metal components and distilling the elemental mercury from the powder for reuse.

In 2002, approximately 4 million of the 100 million fluorescent tubes in circulation were recycled and this figure rose to nearly 7 million in 2003.

Recycling should increase significantly due to the current hazardous waste legislation and also the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive due to be introduced in June 2006.

If you need to dispose of your hazardous waste and you don't have an arrangement with a landfill site operator through a contractor you should contact a reputable waste management firm.

More information on this can be accessed at the Environmental Services Association or Environment Agency websites, both of which are linked on the right.

I have also included a direct link to the classification of fluorescent tubes and sodium lamps in England and Wales. The Scotland and Northern Ireland, slightly different arrangements are in place.

You can also obtain free guidance on environmental issues for business from the Environmental and Energy Helpline on 0800 585 794.

This service is provided by Envirowise and the Carbon Trust. The Carbon Trust covers questions on energy and Envirowise covers any other environmental question related to your business.

I hope this rather long answer is helpful.

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