Fluorescent, CFL and HID
Straight and U-bend tubes, CFLs, metal halide, high pressure sodium and mercury vapor lamps. EPA lists all of them as universal waste lamps. Lamp recycling
Lamp recycling information for Washington, DC.
This page covers lamp recycling information for Washington, DC; it does not confirm service availability. Send your ZIP and counts. A written quote will confirm whether pickup or mail-back is available.
- Fluorescent, CFL and HID
- Ballasts and batteries
- Availability checked by ZIP
- A record for every job
District of Columbia rules
The District of Columbia lamp rules that apply in Washington.
Washington sits in District of Columbia, District of Columbia. These rows come from District of Columbia agency, statute or EPA pages we read; the federal baseline fills any gap.
| Topic | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business lamps | Businesses may ship universal waste lamps in approved containers to an approved disposal or recycling facility, or have an authorized transporter pick them up. | DOEE, Proper Management of Bulbs and Batteries for Facilities and Businesses |
| Household lamps | District residents are told to dispose of CFL bulbs at the Department of Public Works Special Waste Collection Events. | Zero Waste DC, Special Waste - Residents |
| Crushing lamps | Businesses may use a drum-top crusher, but must treat the crushed contents as hazardous waste until proven otherwise. | DOEE, Proper Management of Bulbs and Batteries for Facilities and Businesses |
| Batteries | Since August 1, 2023, D.C. Official Code 8-771.09 bans disposal of single-use and rechargeable batteries in the trash; they must be recycled. | DOEE, Proper Management of Bulbs and Batteries for Facilities and Businesses |
| Universal waste | EPA's state table lists lamps in District of Columbia's universal waste program. | EPA, Universal Waste Programs in the United States |
| Federal baseline | Under federal rules, business lamps can be managed as universal waste under 40 CFR Part 273. That means closed containers that prevent breakage, a label, and no more than one year in storage. | 40 CFR Part 273 |
| Regulator | Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). | DOEE, Proper Management of Bulbs and Batteries for Facilities and Businesses |
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
Read from the sources named, October 3, 2026. Rows appear only where a source was verified. Federal rules shown where noted. States can be stricter. Not legal advice.
What we take
Three streams, one quote.
PCB and non-PCB
EPA says ballasts made before July 2, 1979 may contain PCBs. We keep pre-1979 and unlabeled ballasts apart from the rest of the load. Ballast recycling
By chemistry
EPA asks that lithium batteries be bagged one per bag or have their terminals taped. We collect them with your lamps. Battery recycling
Local programs
What applies in and around Washington.
DC Public Works HHW drop-off events
DC Public Works special waste events accept CFLs, U shaped and circular fluorescent lights, and fluorescent tubes 4 feet or less. They are open to DC residents with proof of residency, require registration, and allow no commercial waste.
DC Department of Public Works, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), E-cycling and Document...
DC energy benchmarking requirement
DC requires private buildings over 10,000 square feet to submit annual energy and water benchmarking reports to the Department of Energy and Environment, with large building reports due May 1.
DC Department of Energy and Environment, Energy Benchmarking
DC universal waste rules for business lamps
District rules let businesses manage intact fluorescent lamps as universal waste. Lamps go in closed, labeled containers and must be onsite less than one year.
DC Department of Energy and Environment, Proper Management of Bulbs and Batteries for...
Local sources as named, checked when this page was built. Programs change; confirm with the program before relying on it.
How it works
Four steps from Washington storage room to recycling record.
Count by type
Rough counts are enough: four-foot tubes, eight-foot tubes, CFLs, HID lamps, ballasts and batteries.
Send the form
Add your ZIP code. We review availability and include any available service method in a written quote.
Pack and label
Keep every lamp whole. District of Columbia allows crushing only with conditions. Close and label each container, and keep ballasts and batteries apart.
Keep the record
Every job ends with a recycling record that shows what was collected and that it went to a permitted recycler.
Washington questions
What Washington facilities teams ask.
Can a business in Washington put fluorescent tubes in the trash?
Businesses may ship universal waste lamps in approved containers to an approved disposal or recycling facility, or have an authorized transporter pick them up. Send counts from your Washington site and we reply with a written quote.
Can lamps be crushed in District of Columbia?
Businesses may use a drum-top crusher, but must treat the crushed contents as hazardous waste until proven otherwise. Whole lamps are the simpler path: they ship as universal waste and keep their mercury inside until the recycler captures it.
How much does lamp recycling cost in Washington?
We reply with a written quote based on your counts and ZIP code. Public contracts price lamps by the foot, by the lamp or by the pound, often with a minimum charge per pickup. Our pricing page explains each unit.
Can you collect from a Washington site?
Send your ZIP code and rough counts with the form. We check whether pickup or mail-back is available there before quoting. A city page is not a service guarantee. Every completed job ends with a recycling record.
Federal rules shown where noted. States can be stricter. Not legal advice.
More near Washington.
District of Columbia
Lamps waiting at a Washington site?
Send rough counts and your ZIP. The written quote will confirm whether pickup or mail-back is available for that location.