Spent Fluorescent Tube Containers

Spent fluorescent tube containers ensure the safe collection of mercury-containing waste. Fluorescent tubes require particular care because of the risk of breakage and the release of harmful substances.

Recommended equipment for service points, public offices and shops that run collection schemes for spent lighting.

Internal dividers and padded compartments limit the movement of the tubes as further ones are inserted, reducing the risk of breakage. A tight-fitting lid protects the contents from moisture until they are collected by an authorised disposal company. Together with the rest of our range, this equipment forms the hazardous waste containers category.

In Poland, spent fluorescent tubes and mercury-containing lamps are classed as hazardous waste subject to separate collection. They must not be placed in containers for mixed or glass waste, as breakage can release mercury vapour that is harmful to health and the environment.

Spent lighting is most often collected at large retail stores selling electrical equipment, municipal recycling centres and electrical service workshops. At each of these locations, a suitably labelled, sealed container is a mandatory element under the regulations on waste electrical and electronic equipment.

The material of the container, usually impact-resistant plastic or sheet steel, has a direct effect on safe handling. Internal dividers separating individual tubes limit contact between them while the container is transported or moved, further reducing the risk of breakage during use.

The size of the container should be matched to the expected number of tubes returned in a given settlement period. A busy retail outlet needs a larger-capacity container than a small electrical workshop handling just a few returns a week, which helps avoid overly frequent visits by the hazardous waste collection company.

Labelling the container with the applicable hazardous waste pictograms helps customers and staff use the collection point correctly, and clear instructions displayed next to the container further reduce the risk of unsuitable waste being placed in it, which would complicate subsequent collection by the authorised disposal company.

Companies that collect and dispose of spent fluorescent tubes usually require the container to be fully closed during transport. A design with a well-fitted, tight-sealing lid makes it easier to meet this requirement without having to repack the contents before handing them over to the authorised recipient.