Organisational Safety and Wellbeing

Disposal of energy efficient lighting tubes and bulbs
Small amounts of mercury are contained in T5 energy efficient fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID) andcompact fluorescent (CFL) tubes and bulbs. Most of these tubes and bulbs contain fewer than 5 mg of
mercury, and very small amounts of mercury are also found as fumes from these products.
Even if a tube or bulb breaks this does not constitute a significant health risk due to the very small amounts ofmercury present and the short exposure time.
Appropriate disposal and clean-up of these products helps to minimise any safety or environmental concerns
by staff or the community.

Disposal of intact tubes and bulbs
Recycling: Department workplaces are encouraged to accessenvironmentally friendly methods of disposal to safely recycle the bulbs:• check recyclingnearyou.com.au or Fluorocycle to see if there arelighting recycling options available in your area
• contact your local council to determine if they have disposal
programs.
There may be small fees associated with recycling services. These are
to be funded by the school/departmental workplace.
• Wrap the bulb or tube tightly in newspaper or place it in theoriginal or new bulb’s box and drop off at the collection/recycling
location.
Bin disposal: Queensland Health advises wrapping fluorescent tubes
or bulbs in paper and disposing with regular waste is a suitable option
provided the rubbish goes to landfill. Check with your local council toconfirm whether your rubbish goes to landfill (e.g. not to a waste
processor).

What can be recycled?

• Linear and U-shaped fluorescentand coated fluorescent tubes• High pressure mercury or sodium•••
•
••••
•

vapour lamps
Metal halide lamps
Ultraviolet lamps
Projector lamps
Compact fluorescent lamps
High intensity discharge tubes
Incandescent lamps
Halogen (down) lighting
Neon tubing
LED and Smart lights• Where possible, place the wrapped fluorescent bulb or tube into your workplace’s industrial bin rather
than in your regular bin. This will reduce the risk of breakage when cleaners empty these bins andfurther clean up or injury from broken glass.

Disposal of broken tubes and bulbs• Open nearby windows and allow the room to ventilate for 15 minutes. Turn off air conditioning or
heating during this time.
• Wear disposable gloves and dust mask during clean up.
• Scoop up broken material with something you can then throw out or wipe down – e.g. stiff paper or
cardboard instead of a brush – avoid generating and inhaling dust.
• Wipe up the remaining debris with a damp cloth or pick up fine glass with sticky tape.
• Discard all items – preferably place in a sealed container. Wrap in paper if a container is not available.
Dispose of all items in an outside rubbish bin - that preferably has a lid e.g., industrial bin• Do not use a vacuum to clean up as this can disperse the mercury.
• Ventilate the room before reuse.

Further information• Contact your School’s Facilities Operations Team for energy efficient lighting enquiries.

• Contact Regional Senior Health and Safety Consultants for health and safety enquiries.
Reviewed June 2023 V4.
Uncontrolled when printed.
Uncontrolled when printed