The glass particles are segregated and recycled into fiberglass. Aluminum components are also recycled separately.
Storage and handling of used lights pose no compatibility problems; nevertheless, storage and shipment of the glass tubes is best-done keeping the glass tubes intact. These items are classified as "Universal Waste" when they are shipped to a properly permitted recycling facility; as such, testing is not required.
Safety and Health
Fluorescent and Mercury Vapor lamps contain small amounts of mercury that could potentially be harmful to human health and the environment. To prevent human exposure and contamination of the environment, these lamps must be handled in an environmentally safe manner. Recycling of mercury from lamps and other mercury containing devices is the preferred handling method and is encouraged by various states. The recycling of fluorescent lights and HID lamps keeps potentially hazardous materials out of landfills saves landfill space and reduces raw materials production needs.
Industry Goal: To prevent the release of mercury.
Handling Method:
Fluorescent and mercury vapor lamps will be collected and recycled or landed for recycling or disposal in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations.
G. Batteries
Discussion
If not properly disposed of, spent batteries may constitute a hazardous waste stream. Most of the large batteries are on tenders and standby generators. Small batteries used in flashlights and other equipment and by passengers, account for the rest. There are four basic types of batteries used.
Lead-acid batteries - These are used in tenders and standby generators. They are wet, rechargeable, and usually six-celled. They contain a sponge lead anode, lead dioxide cathode, and sulfuric acid electrolyte. The electrolyie is corrosive. These batteries require disposal as a hazardous waste, unless recycled or reclaimed.
Lead-acid batteries use sulfuric acid as an electrolyte. Battery acid is extremely corrosive, reactive and dangerous. Damaged batteries must be drained into an acid-proof container. The leaking battery is then placed in another acid-proof container, and both the electrolyte and tbe damaged -battery placed in secure storage for proper disposal as a hazardous waste.
Nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries - These are usually rechargeable, and contain wet or dry potassium hydroxide as electrolyte. The potassium hydroxide is corrosive and the cadmium is a characteristic hazardous waste. Therefore, NiCad batteries must be disposed of as hazardous waste, unless recycled or reclaimed.
Lithium batteries - These are used as a power source for flashlights and portable electronic equipment. A11 lithium batteries must be disposed of as hazardous waste, or sent out for reclamation.
Alkaline batteries - These are common flashlight batteries and are also used in many camera flash attachments, cassette recorders, etc. They should be recycled, properly disposed or reclaimed.
Discarded batteries must be isolated from the refuse waste stream to prevent potentially toxic materials from inappropriate disposal. The wet-cell battery-recycling program is kept separate from the dry battery collection process. Intact wet-cell batteries are sent back to the supplier. Dry-cell batteries are manifested to a licensed firm for recycling.
Industry Goal: To prevent the discharge of spent batteries into the marine environment.
Handling Method:
Collect spent batteries and retum for recycling and/or disposal in accordance with prevailing regnlations.
H. Bilge and Oil Water Residues
Discussion
The area of the ship at the very bottom of the hull is known as the bilge. The bilge is the area where water collects from various operational sources such as water lubricated shaft seals, propulsion system cooling, evaporators, and other machinery. All engine and machinery spaces also collect oil that leaks from machinery fittings and engine maintenance activities. In order to maintain ship stability and eliminate potential hazardous conditions from oil vapors in engine and machinery spaces, the bilge spaces must be periodically pumped dry. In discharging bilge and oily water residues, both international regulations (MARPOL) and United States regulations require that the oil content of the discharged effluent be less than 15 parts per million and that it not leave a visible sheen on the surface of the water.
