Shipping and Packing Guidelines

Guidelines for: General | Ballast | Batteries | Lamps | Mercury Materials

Getting Started

We do our best to make it easy to recycle your waste materials. Please follow these steps:

Issue a purchase order to AERC, Inc. and provide us with your pick-up, mailing, and billing information. Depending on the state you're shipping to, reference the following on the PO:

California - "Reclaiming Mercury and Other Material from Spent Fluorescent & HID Lamps"
Florida - "State Contract Number 991-705-01-2: Reclaiming Mercury and Other Material from Spent Fluorescent & HID Lamps"
Georgia - "State Contract Number SWC-9999-999-080704: Lamp and Ballast Recycling"
Massachusetts - "Reclaiming Mercury and Other Material from Spent Fluorescent & HID Lamps"
Pennsylvania - "Lamp and Ballast Recycling"
Virginia - "Reclaiming Mercury and Other Material from Spent Fluorescent & HID Lamps"

Pack your lamps in acceptable containers. Remember: no tape, no wet boxes, etc. (refer to the Packing Guidelines below).
Label boxes with words Spent Mercury Containing Lamps for Recycling (in California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Virginia) or Used Mercury Containing Lamps for Recycling (in Georgia and Pennsylvania). Stack boxes on a pallet so that they do not hang over the pallet's edge. Stretch wrap boxes to the pallet. Note that Eight-foot lamps are not palletized.
Call AERC to schedule your shipment:

California: (510) 429-1129
Florida: (321) 952-1516
Georgia: (478) 994-8116
Massachusetts: (201) 446-2600
Pennsylvania: (610) 797-7608
Virginia: (804) 798-9295

AERC will complete the lamp recycling manifest and leave a copy on site. This shipping document is part of the record-keeping requirements necessary to comply with appropriate state Administrative Codes.

Packing Guidelines

Precautions should be taken to eliminate breakage of lamps. Extra charges may result from broken lamps.
Please store lamps indoors and away from the elements. Boxes must be protected from rain and moisture. Extra charges may result from the shipment of wet boxes.
Do not tape lamps together. This results in excess handling of lamps and additional charges.
If a box of lamps break, place the entire box in a plastic bag immediately. DO NOT open the box. Close and seal the bag. Notify AERC of any broken lamps prior to shipment.

Shipping Instructions

AERC will complete the Lamp Recycling Manifest and leave a copy on site.
The number of lamps in the container must be on the packing slip.
AERC Recycling Profile form must be completed and returned to AERC prior to shipment. AERC can assist in the completion of this form.
An authorization number from AERC must be obtained and documented on the manifest. This will provide the means for tracking the shipment through the facility.
Label boxes "Spent Mercury-Containing Lamps for Recycling" along with the date you started accumulating them for shipment.

Shipping Containers

AERC prefers to receive most materials intact and we provide boxes to pack lamps and ballasts. Other shipping containers must meet DOT standards and include:

Original manufacturers' boxes - AERC requires that paper sleeves or bubble wrap be used to cushion individual lamps/bulbs. When palletizing, place full boxes on the bottom of the stack. Place all partial boxes on top of the stack to minimize breakage. Stretch wrap the stack to secure the shipment directly to the wooden pallet.
AERC T-26 and T-43 boxes - Place T-boxes on a pallet large enough to prevent overhanging (42" x 48" pallet or larger). Lamps must be packaged individually in the manufacturer's paper sleeve or bubble wrap to provide cushioning. Layer lamps evenly until the box is filled approximately two (2) inches from the top. Tape lid and points with pressure sensitive tape such as leak-proof duct tape.
Lined drums - Steel or fiber drums require a plastic drum liner. Use of the manufacturer's paper sleeves or bubble wrap is not required for cushioning but is recommended. DO NOT USE VERMICULITE OR PEANUTS for inside packaging. Fill the drum to approximately two (2) inches from the top. Close and seal drum.

Availible Lamp Container Sizes and Specifications

AERC 4-foot Box ( 9 1/4" x 91/4" x 48" ) holds 30-39 4-foot lamps
AERC 8-foot Box ( 9 3/8" x 93/8" x 96" ) holds 30-39 8-foot lamps
AERC T-26 Box without trays ( 48 5/8" x 38 5/8" x 26" ) holds 450 4-foot lamps
AERC T-26 Box with trays ( 48 5/8" x 38 5/8" x 26" ) holds 350 4-foot lamps
AERC 4-foot fiber drum/Large ( 21 1/2" x 48 1/8" ) holds 180 4-foot lamps
AERC 4-foot fiber drum/Small ( 15 1/2" x 48 1/8" ) holds 85 4-foot lamps

42" x 48" pallets must be used in conjunction with boxes except for the shipment of 8-foot lamps.