Cash In The Trash - Playlist Dealing With E-scrap

**auminer** · 06-11-2017, 08:43 PM

How I 'disassemble' a ballast:
1. snip the wires connected to it & the fluorescent fixture & toss in bin of "to be stripped' wire
2. remove the screw at one end of the ballast.
3. loosen the screw at the other end of the ballast
4. toss the ballast in my "ballast" bin
5. toss the fixture in my shred pile
Done

Truth be told, when I see fluorescent fixtures at CurbCo, I generally do steps 1-4 and the fixture is just leverite.

**RLS0812** · 06-11-2017, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by hobo finds

Also could note that non PCB ballasts can be sold intact to scrapyards around here they have there own category.

The local yard doesn't take them unless they are still attached to the light fixture - and they are only worth shred price.
The yard doesn't even take aluminum wire unless it's stripped !

I actually did not know there was PCB inside of old light transformers ... I do know there is powdered mercury in the bulbs, however.

**mthomasdev** · 06-11-2017, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by RLS0812

The local yard doesn't take them unless they are still attached to the light fixture - and they are only worth shred price.
The yard doesn't even take aluminum wire unless it's stripped !

I actually did not know there was PCB inside of old light transformers ... I do know there is powdered mercury in the bulbs, however.

https://www.epa.gov/pcbs/disposal-fl...t-ballasts-flb

**hobo finds** · 06-12-2017, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by RLS0812

The local yard doesn't take them unless they are still attached to the light fixture - and they are only worth shred price.
The yard doesn't even take aluminum wire unless it's stripped !

I actually did not know there was PCB inside of old light transformers ... I do know there is powdered mercury in the bulbs, however.

Yep they take the tubes at a monthly household hazardous waste place by me. I remember as kids we would find them in the desert and drive our bikes over them! LOL