General Packaging Guidelines for Straight Fluorescent Lamps
1. Lamps should be packaged in containers that protect the lamps during the storage and transport. Acceptable containers include: cardboard boxes, fiber drums, or the original manufacturer cardboard boxes. Boxes that are designed to transport lamps may also include a poly liner. Veolia can provide containers for fluorescent lamps.
2. Place lamps carefully into the container as to avoid breakage.
3. Egg crate type inserts are not required, but boxes and drums should be filled to prevent excess movement of lamps during transport, leaving no void space.
4. Box ends must be secured with tape. Three-inch PVC tape is recommended. VEOLIA WILL NOT ACCEPT CONTAINERS FOR SHIPMENT THAT HAVE LAMPS EXPOSED OR PROTRUDING FROM THE PACKAGING.
5. DO NOT tape lamps together.
6. DO NOT place items other than fluorescent lamps into containers.
7. Any shipment greater than 10 boxes should be palletized, four foot boxes on a four foot pallet, eight foot boxes on an eight foot pallet. (Any overhang will result in breakage and will not be accepted).
8. Boxes must be placed on a pallet by evenly stacking boxes in layers. DO NOT EXCEED 48" IN HEIGHT.
9. Once they have been placed on a pallet, the boxes must be secured with shrink or stretch wrap. (Remember to wrap the pallet as well, to minimize shifting in transit).
10. Please remember that when reusing boxes after a retrofit, switching from T12 to T8 boxes will result in a diameter differential, T12 bulbs are 50% wider than T8 bulbs.
11. Lamp Inventories should be taped to the outside of the lamps boxes. Alternatively the boxes can be marked with the lamp type and count.
Labeling as Universal Waste
All packages used for containing fluorescent lamps must have a label that states "Universal Waste Lamps" or a similar statement as authorized by state regulation.
Storage of Lamps
Universal waste lamps must not be stored in excess of one year. To demonstrate the storage time, mark all containers with an "Accumulation Start Date" (the beginning date the lamps were stored for disposal). All lamps should be stored in a manner that prevents breakage and should be stored indoors, protected against the elements. Wet packages are subject to additional handling fees. The universal waste rule requires boxes containing universal waste lamps to be kept closed unless adding or removing lamps.
Breakage
If lamp breakage should occur, broken glass and lamp constituents may be subject to additional regulation. If broken prior to packaging, lamps should be placed into plastic or steel drums. Breakage during transport is possible, therefore taping of box ends with tape is recommended. If box contains a liner make certain liner is sealed well before transport.
Lamp Inventories
Customers are encouraged to tape lamp inventories to the end of each box. An inspection will be made at Veolia of all containers to verify lamp type and count received. Each container of fluorescent lamps will be billed for the full amount of lamps as received on the shipment.
How to Palletize Lamps
Palletizing lamps correctly ensures not only compliance with DOT regulations regarding shipping fluorescent lamps, but also decreases costs by optimizing truck load capacity. Pallets should be used to store lamps and aid truck loading with the availability of a fork lift and loading dock. Both lamp cartons and drums may be loaded on pallets into the truck and, if necessary, hand loaded from pallets to maximize truck capacity. 4 foot lamp boxes should be stacked in layers, in the same direction to minimize pallet sizes and maximize truck capacity. The boxes should not exceed 48" in height. 8 foot lamp boxes should be stacked parallel with the eight foot pallet All pallets of lamp cartons should be stretch-wrapped to the pallet.
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