Embraer Recycling Spent Fluorescent Bulbs

Jan. 15, 2009
EAMS gives examples of how they try to help the environment at their facility.

NASHVILLE, TN -- Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services (EAMS), an aircraft MRO facility located in Nashville, TN, recycles more than 100 bulbs every quarter and, on average, replaces 400 to 500 bulbs per year. The spent bulbs are collected in closed containers and sent to a recycling station located in Alabama.

All bulbs throughout the facility have been changed over to the lower mercury content bulbs and will be replaced within the next two years with the energy-efficient bulbs, which have a three-year life span. EAMS estimates that recycling 500 bulbs eliminates 25 grams of mercury from entering the environment. The low-mercury bulbs should reduce mercury on an annual basis another 10 grams.

Embraer in Nashville generates approximately 1,200 pounds of cadmium waste per year, which historically was disposed of as a hazardous waste (generally incinerated). The chosen method that the company has implemented is to recycle the cadmium by removing the cadmium particles from the rinse water, which was used during the plating process. This cadmium material is sent back for reclamation and is reused as it re-enters the commodities market. EAMS estimates that the total sent back for reclamation was approximately 900 pounds of cadmium.

EAMS also recycles nickel cadmium batteries used in aircraft and smaller batteries used in flashlights, such as rechargeable type batteries.