Host: Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste Management
Lighting is classified into filament lamps and discharge lamps, depending on lighting method. More then 80% of the households or industries use fluorescent lighting. Using energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs saves money and help protect the environment. Fluorescent bulbs consist of all shapes and sizes : ompact fluorescents, fluorescent tubes, and high-intensity discharge bulbs used for exterior lighting. Since fluorescent bulbs and tubes contain mercury, they must be properly treated in environmentally-benign way for recycling according to EU’s WEEE and RoHS directives. Virtually every component of a fluorescent lamp can be recycled, including metal end caps, lamp glass, and mercury phosphor powder. The recycled glass can be used as feedstock in the manufacture of glass products, or as cement aggregate. The aluminum end caps are recycled as metal scrap. Mercury recovered from the mercury phosphor powder by retort process and subsequently purified could be reused in thermometers, barometers, and electronic devices.
