January 15, 2003
City of Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant
Contact: Julie Weiss
Ph: 650.329.2117
julie_weiss@city.palo-alto.ca.us
www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/cleanbay
City of Palo Alto Residential
Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Program
Program Description
In October 2000, the RWQCP initiated a pilot fluorescent light recycling
program at local hardware stores. The program was designed to be a practical
and efficient way for residents to recycle fluorescent tubes. The San Francisco
Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board has concluded that the disposal of
fluorescent lamps is a large controllable source of mercury air emissions.
According to the Regional Board, Bay Area residents and businesses discard
approximately 13 million fluorescent lamps to landfills annually.
Barrels used for 4’ light recycling.
Furthermore, local hardware store owners told staff that their customers
frequently bring in expired fluorescent lamps when seeking a replacement
bulb to ensure they purchase the correct size. After the purchase, customers often request that the store dispose
of the expired lamps.
The RWQCP initiated a recycling program for these bulbs in conjunction with five local hardware stores and a
local fluorescent lamp recycler. Residents simply drop off expired T-8, T-12, tube, compact or U-shaped tubes
which are stored in barrels provided by the recycler. These barrels are scheduled for automatic collection
every three months. This service is paid for by the RWQCP, which also provides the stores with public
information materials relaying information about recycling options for other mercury-containing appliances.
The program began in October 2000 at a single store, Palo Alto Hardware. In July 2001, four stores joined the
program – Peninsula Hardware, Los Altos Hardware, Rancho Hardware, Blossom True Value Hardware.
During the program start-up, active promotion of this program was not pursued to avoid overwhelming the
hardware stores. In November 2001, a flyer was inserted with all Palo Alto utility bills to announce the
program, and the City’s Recycling Program ran a story about the service in their newsletter which is
distributed through a local weekly newspaper.
Initial program challenges included finding sufficient space at hardware stores to store collection barrels and
streamlining collection schedules so that lamps at multiple sites can be collected on the same day. Stores that
did not have sufficient space to store barrels were provided with a mail-in light option, where fluorescent
bulbs can be returned via UPS service at no cost to the store owner.
Timeline
• 2000-Began pilot at Palo Alto Hardware
• July 2001-Expanded pilot to include six hardware stores. Contract with local lamp recycler, AERC.
• November 2002-began program evaluation
Program Elements
•
Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) pays for all costs and provides advertising
•
Each store receives 1-2 collection barrels (specific to light type). Mail-in option with RQWCP approval.
Barrel sizes approximately: 48" x 24".
•
Bins collected every three months unless otherwise requested. AERC calls ahead to confirm collection
need.
• Minimal advertising of program to not overwhelm stores.
• Initially six of nine stores in the RWQCP service area of five cities agreed to participate. RWQCP and
HHW Events also accept lights. Rancho Hardware and OSH discontinued participation in the program
reducing total participating stores to four. (Rancho discontinued due to insufficient storage, OSH due to
lack of consistent management oversight and frequent management turnover).
Results: 10/2000 – 11/2002
Total lights
collected
4,310
Total lamp
recycling costs
$1,520.14
Total shipping/
start up costs
$676.00
Total program
operation costs
$2,196.14
Average cost per
light to recycle
Costs (see attached summary):
$.08 per foot (2,3,4,8 foot
tubes).
$.50 for CFLs, round, u-tubes.
Shipping: $75 for first
collection site, $25 for each
remaining collection.
$0.51
Benefits
More lights collected at stores than at HHW (somewhat of an unfair comparison because the hardware
stores serviced many residents outside of Palo Alto).
Palo Alto HHW collection events (resident only for FY 2001-2002) recorded an increase in of 57% in
light collections: 1,100 pounds (equivalent to 2,200 4' lamps) compared with an estimate of 700
pounds the previous year. This is attributed to moderate fluorescent light program advertising.
Store owners and customers appreciate the free service.
Challenges
Sufficient space and barrel sizes
•
Stores would like a smaller barrel size, flexibility in container type, and ability to co-mingle
different sized lights (e.g., 8' and 4' lamps together). Lamp breakage hasn’t been an issue although
it is a potential if AERC requirements (barrel size, how lights can be mixed during storage) and
RWQCP barrel placement requirements are not adhered to. RWQCP staff Will look into switching
to 15 ½" x 48" barrels, current barrel is 24" in diameter.
•
The Fed-ex mail-in program geared towards very small generators (used at one store) was
perceived to be less convenient than the barrel system. This store wanted to store lights in a smaller
container than the standard barrel.
Some stores require more frequent barrel collections than others. Some stores get a lot of lights, others
very few. RWQCP keeps the pick-up schedule uniform to minimize shipping charges, but this can
result in too many stored lights at some locations, or a special pick-up when absolutely necessary.
RWQCP scheduled automatic pick-up every three months for all stores to streamline collection costs.
AERC calls ahead and collects from only those stores who really need a pick up. This issue will be
discussed as expansion plans are considered.
One store owner resented people who drop off lights without buying lights or merchandise from his
site. RWQCP will ask residents who drop off lights to consider purchasing new lights at stores
participating in the program in its new advertisements and outreach.
Lamp Recycling Contractor (AERC) Responses to Store/RWQCP Feedback:
How can we get more flexibility in container types and co-mingling lamps?
We can use 15 1/2" x 48 1/8" barrels- holds 85 4-foot lamps. Palo Alto currently uses 24" x 48"
Can mix 1,2,3,4' lamps
To avoid breaking must use boxes for 8' lamps, and keep CFLs separate
How can we reduce shipping charges?
Transportation charges waived when customer has accrued $1,000 of light recycling costs (sans transportation),
or about 3,125 lamps.
Can AERC help with regional or Palo Alto pilot?
Will offer $2,500 at their cost ($.04 foot, or about 15,600 4' lamps) to help with a regional light recycling
project.
Future Plans
Due to SB 1011 (Sher) which prohibits curbside collection of fluorescent tubes of 4' or longer, the RWQCP will pursue
expanding the store-wide collection in addition to collection at recycling centers throughout it’s service area. The City
will also replenish public education materials at stores and expand outreach efforts to increase collection volume.
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