Midwest Lamp Recycling

Midwest Lamp Recycling, Inc. grew out of a business consortium contract with Midwest’s parent company. Designed and built for business, Midwest Lamp Recycling has become the preferred recycler of business since 1993.

Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling

Midwest provides lamp recycling solutions that are second to none. Our facility accepts intact and pre-crushed lamps of all sizes and types. Midwest accompanies a certificate of recycling with all invoices.Midwest accepts complete lighting systems and fixtures for recycling. Midwest dismantles and recycles your lighting equipment and furnishes a certificate of recycling for the whole assembly.

The green tip lamps contain levels of mercury that fail the safe TCLP level rendering it the same as other lamps. The lamp manufacturers simply place buffering agents in the lamp that prevent the mercury from showing up during a traditional TCLP analysis. Green tip lamps use of buffering agents increase risk to the environment and legal risk to the generator of the waste.

Ballasts Recycling (PCB)(DEHP)

PCB (Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyls) is a group of chemicals banned by EPA due to their toxicity. PCBs are a carcinogen and can cause liver damage and a skin condition “chloracne.” PCBs are regulated under TSCA, the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. PCBs are not a hazardous waste as defined by RCRA but PCBs are regulated for disposal in 40 CFR 761.

Prior to 1978, fluorescent light ballasts were manufactured containing dielectric insulating compounds known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). Another harmful chemical (DEHP) was used in the production lighting ballasts until 1985. DEHP is a listed hazardous substance regulated under CERCLA. If generators landfill DEHP containing products and the site requires cleanup the generator will be held liable.

Battery Recycling

The Resource Conservation Act (RCRA) guidelines 40 CFR 261 - 268 regulate the disposal of batteries. The Universal Waste Rule (UWR) allows a simple recycling protocol for battery recycling.

Batteries contain hazardous chemicals and are regulated as Universal Waste. These chemicals contaminate the environment if they are discarded in ordinary trash and not recycled. Companies are looking for solutions to properly handle this relatively small but regulated waste stream.Batteries that are managed as a hazardous waste can be managed as a universal waste if destined for recycling. Generators can opt to manage all batteries as universal waste and lead-acid batteries can be managed as a recyclable material.

Electronic and CRT Recycling

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cautions that end-of-life electronics pose serious issues regarding improper disposal of electronic waste and its’ environmental consequences. Monitors’ cathode ray tubes (CRT) contain lead, phosphorous, cadmium and mercury. The glass screen contains lead-bearing particles.

Midwest offers affordable recycling services for computers/electronics, cathode-ray tubes (CRT's), printers, circuit boards, back up systems along with the myriad of industrial electronic waste streams.Midwest de-manufactures equipment into its core components; Plastic, Metal, High and Low grade electronic circuit boards, wire, hard drives, floppy drives... CRT's and other electronic equipment contain high levels of lead and other heavy metals. Recycling is not optional on some waste streams now that all states regulate the disposal of CRTs.

Mercury Device Recycling

EPA Land-Disposal Restrictions mandate that all waste streams containing mercury at levels greater than 260mg/kg be retorted or IMERC (incineration.) Due to subsequent environmental liability, retort is the best option. Incineration of mercury waste is far more expensive than retort.

 Landfill-banned devices are in use everywhere in near everything. While it’s important to know which devices are subject to “Universal Waste” management, it is crucial mercury waste is stored, labeled and transported in compliance to applicable local, state and federal regulations.Wall-mounted mercury thermostats, thermometers and mercury switches are more common mercury devices. These “common mercury devices” are major sources of mercury in the solid waste stream.Today’s technology enables this waste stream to be recycled properly and affordably. Midwest ensures the latest processes and technology are used for safe storage, transport and recycling of these components.