King County’s bright idea for small businesses – free fluorescent lamp recycling

2005 Archived News

King County has a bright idea for small businesses in King County – protect the environment with free fluorescent lamp recycling during the month of March. In King County, more than 3.6 million lamps burn out each year.

Throughout March, businesses can recycle up to 25 fluorescent or high intensity discharge lamps for free at locations in King County through a “Lamp Amnesty” campaign sponsored by the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. Businesses can drop off lamps and in some cases have them picked up for free by area recyclers. Normally, it costs about eight to ten cents a foot to recycle a fluorescent lamp.

When improperly disposed of, lamps may break and release mercury, posing a threat to human health and the environment. Mercury is highly toxic and, once released into the environment, it can contaminate fish and harm people. Mercury can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys, and liver.

In Seattle and King County it is illegal for businesses to throw fluorescent lamps in the trash. In 2000, the Washington Department of Ecology adopted a rule requiring businesses to recycle spent mercury lamps, including fluorescents, or dispose of them as hazardous waste.

Participating recyclers where businesses can recycle their fluorescent lamps for fee include:

Ecolights — Seattle (Drop off only)
9411 8th Ave S, Seattle, Mondays – Fridays 8 am – 4:30 pm.
Call 206-343-1247 for directions.

PSC — Georgetown & Kent (Drop off only)
5400 Denver Ave. S, Seattle (Georgetown), March 10 and March 29 9 am – 2 pm.
Call 800-228-7872 for directions.

20245 77th Ave. S., Kent, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am – 2 pm.
Call 800-228-7872 for directions.

Safety-Kleen — Lynnwood, Auburn or pick up
6303 212th St. SW, Lynnwood, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9 am – 4 pm. Call
425-775-7030 for directions.

3210 C St NE Unit G, Auburn, Tuesdays – Fridays 9 am – 4 pm.
Call 253-939-2022 for directions.

Free pick up for 10 lamps or more, otherwise there is a $25 fee. Call the Lynnwood or Auburn location to schedule a pick up.

Keep It Clean Recycling (Pick up only)
Call 425-868-3535 for pickup. There is a $12.50 fee for pick up for any number of lamps

For more information on this program please visit http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/business/fluor/ or call 206-296-3976.