Description

Electronics ballasts are found in newer fluorescent lamps, replacing the earlier choke , capacitor, and starter circuit.  They are an electronic circuit that is generally enclosed in a metal housing.

To recycle them the circuit board is removed from the housing if possible.  Metal, plastics, and circuit boards then go into separate recycling streams.  The plastics, which only make up a small percentage by weight, will usually go to landfill.

Older ballasts can contain poly-chlorinated phenols.  These must be handled in a special manner.  There are costs involved in the disposal process.