How should fluorescent tubes and light ballasts be disposed?

Because many fluorescent light tubes contain mercury, a program has been established to dispose of the light tubes according to local, state, and federal regulations. We ask that all discarded tubes be placed in a cardboard box and labeled with a hazardous waste label. Please see chemical waste disposal procedures for details.

Light ballasts and transformer oil may contain PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) which are regulated hazardous waste. Before disposing of light ballasts or recycling transformer oil, please contact our office (540-231-3600) so we may test the materials for PCBs.