What we recycle.
Lamps, e-waste, batteries, ballasts, mercury devices, and more—solid universal waste handled safely and compliantly.
Fluorescent and HID lamps contain mercury and must be handled with care and in full compliance with environmental regulations.
Partner with the Lamp Recycling Experts.
NLR is a Leader in Universal Waste Management.
Below is a list of common items we recycle. This list is not exhaustive—items with similar characteristics may also be accepted. For questions about specific items, please contact our customer support team at 888.657.5267.
Lamps
Unlike others, we never outsource. NLR’s proprietary, in-house lamp recycling technology is built to process all lamp types—whole or pre-crushed, any size or shape. Our system efficiently separates materials into glass, aluminum, plastic, and mercury-bearing phosphor powder for responsible downstream recycling.
We accept and recycle all linear fluorescent tubes, including 2ft, 4ft, and 8ft varieties.
Whether your lamps contain mercury or not, NLR provides safe, certified recycling for virtually every type of light bulb.
Includes linear fluorescent lamps (4' and 8'), CFLs, HIDs, HPS, U-shaped, Circleline, Biax, ultraviolet, and germicidal lamps—all mercury-containing varieties. Non-mercury lamps such as LEDs, incandescents, halogens, and PAR floods are also accepted. Do not crush lamps—mercury release poses a health risk and may violate state regulations.
LFL
Straight / linear fluorescent (T12,8,5, etc.)
LFL-JKT
Straight / linear fluorescent (T12,8,5, etc.) - jacketed / coated
HID-HPS
HID, mercury vapor, metal halide, low-high pressure sodium
CFL
Compact fluorescent, PL - 4 & 2 pin plug-in, Biax
UCFL
U-tubes & circular / round
INC
Incandescent - PAR floods, halogen, quartz
ARC
Arc (medical / dental UV-curing) / ignitron
UV
Ultraviolet, germicidal, suntan
UVW
UV/Optic Lamp - with wire
UVWC
UV/Optic Lamp - with wire & controller
LLED
LED - straight
LED
LED - all other styles - non linear
LED-PANEL
LED panel & troffer lights
NEON
Neon - sign / glow
PV
Projector - Xenon - cinema
CFLG
Broken / crushed (fluorescent) - incidental
CFLG-DM
Broken / crushed (fluorescent) - (55-gal drum)
About Waste Types
Revolutionizing Waste Management.
Understanding the types of universal waste we manage helps ensure proper handling, storage, and compliance with environmental regulations. Below is an overview of the most common waste categories accepted through our programs:
Batteries
We accept all major battery chemistries, including lead-acid, alkaline, lithium-ion (Li-Ion), lithium primary, nickel-cadmium (NiCad), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), zinc-carbon, silver-oxide, mercury, and . . .
Learn more
E-Waste
Electronic waste includes a wide variety of devices—computers, monitors, printers, and other electronics. Devices must remain intact, with no broken glass screens or disassembled . . .
Learn more
Lightning Equipment
Accepted types include PCB, DEHP, non-PCB, and electronic ballasts. For safe handling and compliance, do not mix different ballast types. Separate containers must be . . .
Learn more
Mercury Devices
Includes thermostats, thermometers, mercury switches, relays, and select medical equipment. These devices must be stored in sealed poly/plastic drums. Leaking or . . .
Learn more
What We Can (and Can’t) Take
We’d love to recycle it all—but due to regulations and facility limitations, NLR can only accept certain types of universal waste. We handle lamps and bulbs, e-waste and IT assets, batteries, lighting ballasts, and mercury devices—primarily solid universal waste.
We cannot accept liquids like pesticides, acids, or other hazardous fluids.
Not sure what you’ve got? Our expert sales team is here to help—just reach out with your questions.
Other Things We Don’t Recycle.
We get a lot of questions about what we can and can’t take. While we specialize in the safe, compliant recycling of universal waste, NLR is not a single-stream recycling center for general consumer items. As a permitted destination facility, we follow strict EPA, DOT, and DEEP regulations.
We’re equipped to handle lamps (light bulbs), e-waste, batteries, lighting ballasts, and mercury devices—mostly solid waste, or sealed items like car batteries and thermostats.
However, we cannot accept the following hazardous materials:
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Pesticides or other liquid universal wastes
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Explosives or shock-sensitive materials
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Flammable gases or liquids
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Poisonous gases
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Self-reactive substances or desensitized explosives
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Materials that are dangerous when wet
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Infectious substances
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Radioactive materials