The Haz Guide

Fluorescent lighting tubes are classified as an absolute entry in the EWC, code 20 01 21*, and as such should be treated as hazardous waste. Some companies may have lighting maintenance contractors who replace the lighting; in this case it is good practice to ensure that any contract includes the removal and safe recovery/recycling of them. If a company replaces their own tubes they should ensure tubes are not disposed of in the general (non-hazardous) waste bin. There are a number of companies who can provide collection and recycling services (see potential support and solutions for businesses for more details of how to find a collector). Many collectors also provide suitable containers for the storage of spent tubes prior to collection. For further information refer to this section.

Businesses should be aware that a consignment note is needed if the waste is generated by the end user (i.e. the bulb is removed from the fixture) and passed onto a facilities management contractor. However if the contractor provides a full service and removes the lighting tubes from the fixture, no consignment note is needed. Facilities managers of multiple occupancy buildings or of multiple buildings should be aware of this difference.