Fluorescent lamps (FL) contain mercury in their composition, a heavy metal that can be a health hazard and damage the environment. The FL are widely consumed in Brazil, although the right disposal of FL is not well known and the recycling rate is low. This study objective is to demonstrate the importance of proper disposal and to evaluate recycling technologies and material destination through a comparative study between Brazil and Germany. In visits to recycling companies in both countries and analyzing the used technologies, it was verified that in Brazil the glass is sent to ceramics industry, while in Germany it is mainly sent for the manufacture of FL tubes. Also, the mercury has several applications. A point to be explored in both countries, with great recycling potential, is the recovery of the rare earth from phosphoric powder from FL. Both Brazil and Germany have improvement opportunities in the reverse logistics of FL, through which it becomes possible to increase recycling rates and reduce the environmental impact caused by the inappropriate disposal of used FL.
fluorescent lamps; mercury; recycling; reverse logistics