Fluorescent, mercury vapor, metal halide, high pressure sodium, and neon lights all contain mercury, which is toxic and persistent in the environment. The "green cap" fluorescent lamps, pictured above, contain the least amount of mercury and are environmentally preferable. All lamps must be handled carefully and recycled instead of placed in the trash.
Never change your own lamps. At UW Seattle, you may request a lamp change from Facilities Services. At other locations, contact your local Facilities Services or maintenance departments. They will recycle the bulbs for you.
If you have a broken lamp, avoid any dust that the broken lamp may contain. Clean it up carefully, wetting the dust first if practicable, and place all of the material in a sturdy container with a secure screw top lid or a double plastic bag in a cardboard box. Make sure that your container keeps the mercury-containing dust in and is not able to be punctured by the broken glass. Then fill out and fax or mail in a Chemical Collection Request and EH&S will pick it up for you.
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