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Light Ballasts

Definition

A light ballast is a device designed to limit the amount of electrical current in a circuit. Ballasts that were manufactured prior to 1979 may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are known to cause a variety of human health problems including cancer and other detrimental effects to the immune, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Due to these known health hazards, all light ballasts, whether labeled “PCB” or “non-PCB” containing, or electronic ballasts are collected for disposal through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program. If the light ballasts are unlabeled as to their contents, assume they are PCB-containing. Light ballasts must not be disposed of in the general refuse garbage. 

Three light ballasts removed from light fixtures

Storage

Ballasts can be stored in any leakproof container that has a lid. If ballasts are leaking or broken, place the ballast in a sealed bag in a separate container.

cardboard box with black and yellow PCB label and contact information for MSU EHS

Ballasts must be removed from the lighting fixtures prior to disposal. They also do not need to be segregated by type and can be collected in the same container.

Intact

All light ballasts should be packaged to prevent breakage and release to the environment. Containers must be structurally sound and closed unless actively using or adding material. Light Ballasts will be picked up at the point of generation by the EHS Hazardous Waste Program.

Damaged

Light ballasts that are leaking should be placed in secondary containment. Call the EHS Hazardous Waste Group immediately for pickup of leaking light ballasts.

For large scale construction or renovation projects that will result in the removal of many light ballasts at once, contact EHS Hazardous Waste Staff prior to the start of the project obtain container(s) and labels for the ballasts.

55-gallon metal drum with black and yellow PCB label and contact information for MSU EHS

MSU Waste Tag Required

No - A MSU Waste Tag is not needed when submitting light ballasts.

Labeling

Light ballast containers should be labeled with the words “PCB Containing”. The container must also have the words “Used Lamp Ballasts” and contain the accumulation start date on the container. The accumulation start date is the first day you begin filling the container with ballasts. EHS provides the following label for light ballasts, which can be requested through the EHS Safety Portal:

Yellow Label with Black stripes on edges that says “Caution Contains PCBs and contact information

Submit Hazardous Waste Request

If submitting individual ballasts for disposal, or when the container is full or close to the 90-day accumulation limit, submit a Hazardous Waste Request via the EHS Safety Portal as follows:

  • EHS Website: ehs.msu.edu
  • Log in to the Safety Portal through a preferred web browser using your MSU Net ID and EBS Password
  • Select Hazardous Waste Request
  • Light Ballasts are found under the Common Process category