Universal Waste – Fluorescent Bulbs and Other Mercury-Containing Lamps
What is a universal waste?
Fluorescent and other mercury-containing lamps exhibit hazardous characteristics as described in the California Code of Regulations, title 22, chapter 11. These lamps are a type of hazardous waste called “universal waste.” Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that pose a lower immediate risk to people and the environment when handled properly. Due to this lower risk, universal wastes can be handled and transported under more relaxed rules compared to other hazardous wastes.
What are universal waste lamps?
Universal waste lamps include:
- fluorescent light tubes
- fluorescent light bulbs
- compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs
- high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs
- metal halide bulbs
- sodium bulbs
- neon bulbs
Fluorescent lights and other mercury-containing lamps are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. Their higher energy efficiency is due to the mercury within them.
Mercury is a natural element with many uses. But, mercury contamination can be harmful to both human health and the environment. This is why it is so important to handle these lamps with care and avoid their breakage.
Although they pose a risk, government and environmental organizations still recommend their use. They have many benefits and you can mitigate their risk with safe handling practices.
What about light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs?
Generators must determine if their waste LED bulbs are hazardous before disposing of them. This rule applies to both business and household generators.
Often, LED bulbs:
- meet the definition of a lamp and
- exceed at least one California toxicity threshold— typically for copper, zinc, antimony, or nickel.
You may manage lamps that exhibit a hazardous waste characteristic as universal waste. If you are unsure of your LED bulb’s composition, it is best practice to manage them as universal waste.
AB 1109 – California Lighting Efficiency and Toxic Reduction Act
The California Lighting Efficiency and Toxics Reduction Act of 2007 restricts the sale of general purpose lights by any person, including a manufacturer, retailer, distributor and online seller, if those lights contain certain hazardous substances (e.g., mercury) above specific concentration limits.
For more information, visit our Restrictions on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in General Purpose Lights webpage.
What to do with your universal waste lamps
Broken mercury-containing lamps such as fluorescent bulbs and tubes can release mercury into the air and water, so it is important for people to handle these products with care and common sense – much like you would when driving to avoid crashing your car. By taking simple steps to prevent breaking these lamps, consumers can avoid exposure to mercury and mercury vapors.
Mercury-containing lamps can not be disposed in trash or household recycling collection bins intended to receive other non-hazardous waste and/or recyclable materials: it is prohibited by law.
Managing Universal Waste Lamps Fact Sheet
Learn more about managing fluorescent and other mercury-containing lamps.
How should I store my universal waste lamps until I can take them to a recycling center?
Store your used lamps in a:
- safe, dry place
- out of the reach of children or animals
- where they cannot be broken
Due to the possibility of mercury vapor being retained in carpets, you may want to consider using, handling, and storing mercury-containing lamps only in areas with hard flooring.
What if I accidentally break a fluorescent bulb?
Refer to our guidance: What if I accidentally broke a mercury-containing lamp?
Where should I take my waste fluorescent bulbs and other mercury-containing lamps?
Many retailers and local government agencies run programs that accept fluorescent and other mercury-containing lamps and send them on for recycling.
For information on local collection programs for mercury-containing lamps, contact your municipal waste service provider or check DTSC’s Household Hazardous Waste webpage for additional information and resources.
Find a local recycling program near you!
Are retailers required to accept used fluorescent lamps from consumers for recycling?
No, but many fluorescent lamp retailers accept and collect used fluorescent lamps for recycling. Check with your local retailer.
Are you a universal waste handler?
Refer to the California Code of Regulations, title 22, chapter 23 which provides the regulatory standards for universal waste handlers.
Additional information for universal waste handlers
Universal Waste Lamp Management Requirements
These regulations cover the requirements for universal waste handlers managing universal waste lamps.
Best Practices for Managing Universal Waste Lamps
This report details the best management practices for universal waste handlers recycling universal waste lamps.
Universal Waste and How to Handle It Fact Sheet
Find more information on what universal waste is and how it should be handled by both universal waste handlers and the public.
Laws & regulations
PRC = California Public Resources Code
HSC = California Health and Safety Code
CCR = California Code of Regulations
- Lighting Toxics Reduction – HSC §§ 25210.9 – 25210.12
- Energy Resources Conservation – PRC § 25402.5.4
- Universal Waste Standards Applicability – Lamps – 22 CCR § 66273.5
- Universal Waste Management Requirements for Lamps – 22 CCR § 66273.33(b)
Additional resources
DTSC online training: Managing Waste Mercury Lamps
Both households and businesses can learn about proper management, recycling, and transporting of waste mercury lamps including fluorescent tubes and many types of street lights.
CalRecycle
U.S. EPA
Archived resources
External resources
DTSC has compiled this list of links to external webpages that contain information that may be of interest. DTSC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
For additional questions, contact the Regulatory Assistance Office
Toll-Free in CA: 800-728-6942 or 800 72-TOXIC
Outside CA: 916-324-2439
Email: RAO@dtsc.ca.gov
Last updated: February 4, 2025
Universal Waste Links
Hazardous Waste Links
- Hazardous Waste Home
- Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Program
- CUPAs
- Defining Hazardous Waste
- Electronic Waste (E-Waste)
- Enforcement and Emergency Response Division
- Facilities (TSDFs)
- Generator Improvements Rule
- Generators
- Hazardous Waste ID Numbers
- Hazardous Waste Management Plan
- Hazardous Waste Manifests
- Hazardous Waste Tracking System
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Metal Recycling
- Metal Shredding Facilities and Wastes
- Permitting
- Toxics in Products
- Transporters
- Universal Waste
- Form 1358
- California Hazardous Waste Codes
Hazardous Waste Related Links
- Annual/Biennial Reports
- Annual Fee Summary
- Customer Billing Portal (Cost Recovery)
- DTSC Advisory on the Management of Spent Fuels
- EnviroStor
- Hazardous Waste Publications
- Find a Registered Hazardous Waste Transporter
- Hazardous Waste Policies & Procedures
- Hazardous Waste Project Documents
- Imports and Exports of Hazardous Waste
- Kettleman Hills Facility
- Land Use Restriction Sites
- Office of Criminal Investigations
- PV Modules (Solar Panels)
- Regulatory Assistance Office
- Report an Environmental Concern
- Retail Waste