Diagram illustrating the recycling process of fluorescent lamps, including steps like crushing, separating, and producing pure mercury, with recyclable components such as metal, glass, plastic, and electronics.

Step 3: Highest Standards of Safety & Compliance

We are permitted and monitored by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

  • We test mercury levels in our facility three times daily to ensure they remain significantly below OSHA safety limits.

  • If readings ever approach our corrective action level, processing stops immediately until the issue is identified and resolved.

  • Our processing staff wear full protective gear, including respirators designed to capture mercury. We conduct routine health screenings to ensure their ongoing safety.

Step 4: Closing the Loop

Nothing goes to waste. We ensure all materials are sent to permitted facilities for reuse, completing the recycling loop.

  • Recovered mercury is retorted and purified for reuse.

  • Phosphor powder is processed to recover valuable rare earth metals.

Whole Fixture Recycling

Why spend costly labor hours disassembling fixtures on-site? EcoLights simplifies the process for contractors by accepting whole lighting fixtures for recycling. This approach is designed for large-scale projects like lighting retrofits, building demolitions, and commercial renovations. We safely remove the lamps, ballasts, and other components for specialized recycling. The metal and plastic fixture housings are then separated and recycled.

Two woven pendant lights hang from a ceiling with a slatted design, illuminating a brick wall and wooden door behind them.

Lamp Recycling

At EcoLights, we believe transparency is key to trust. Our state-of-the-art recycling process is designed for one purpose: to safely capture and reuse every component of fluorescent lamps, protecting our employees, our community, and the environment. We go far beyond industry standards to ensure zero mercury is released.

Step 1: Safe & Secure Separation

Our specialized equipment safely crushes and separates each lamp into its core components:

  • Glass is cleaned for use as an aggregate in concrete.

  • Aluminum End Caps and Metal Filaments are sold as scrap for recycling.

  • Mercury Phosphor Powder is carefully isolated for specialized processing.

Step 2: Zero Mercury Emissions Technology

Your safety and ours is our top priority. Our closed-loop system ensures no mercury escapes.

  • We do not have exhaust stacks or vents. All air from the recycling process is contained within a continuous vacuum system.

  • Process air is rigorously cleaned through a multi-stage system of pleated filters, HEPA filters, and sulfur-impregnated carbon beds before being safely released back into the room.