Lamp and Ballast Recycling Q&As
Ballasts
How do I know if a ballast contains PCBs?
Typically ballasts that do not contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) will be labeled as such. PCBs were discontinued for use in fluorescent ballasts manufactured after 1979. Manufacturers of ballasts and capacitors use distinct catalogue and date codes to identify their product. Interpreting the manufacturer’s codes is crucial in determining whether a ballast contains a PCB capacitor. See Environment Canada’s booklet on ‘Identification of Lamp Ballasts Containing PCBs’ [PDF, 4.4 Mb] for details on what to look for.
How do I dispose of ballasts?
Ballasts with PCBs and ballasts manufactured pre-1979 without labels should be disposed of as hazardous waste in accordance with government regulations. Newer ballasts manufactured after 1979 can be recycled for scrap metal and copper.
PCB ballasts should be sent to a PCB processing facility, where the metals are separated for recycling. Currently, there is only one PCB processing facility in Canada that destroys PCBs: Swan Hills Treatment Center in Alberta. PCB ballasts have to be transported by a Ministry of Environment (MOE) certified carrier. PCB ballasts cannot be burned under any circumstances.