Advanced Environmental Recycling Corporation (AERC) was developed in 1990 to answer a nation-wide need for environmentally sound recycling processes for metallic mercury, mercury compounds and solutions, and mercury containing devices.

 

While AERC was perfecting its triple distillation process for metallic mercury, many companies were discussing how to effectively manage spent fluorescent lamps.  Because fluorescent lamps contain mercury and often fail TCLP (a test for determining whether a waste is classified "hazardous"), these companies were looking for an environmentally sound, low liability recovery option.

 

In order to address this fluorescent lamp problem on a national basis, AERC formed a joint venture with and purchased state-of-the-art equipment from Mercury Technologies Corporation (MTC) of Hayward, California.  This AERC managed joint venture, named MTI, was formed in November 1992.

 

In January of 2001, AERC and MTI were combined into one company and renamed AERC.com, Inc. (AERC Recycling Solutions).  The name may have changed but our mentality, experience and environmental sound reputation has not.  AERC.com, Inc. still can offer services and expertise that are second to none in the industry.  In addition, AERC.com, Inc. has the resources, which allows us to focus on the most important aspects of fluorescent lamp recycling-safety, industrial hygiene, and environmental compliance.

 

AERC utilizes an environmentally sound recycling process for mercury containing lamps.  Our American-made equipment utilizes patented technology to treat all parts of the lamp, including the phosphor powder and mercury, at our captive facilities.  This limits a generator's potential downstream liability by eliminating the need for third party recycling facility involvement.  The lamp recycling process involves the separation of the glass, metal and phosphor powder.  The metallic mercury contained in the phosphor powder is thermally separated and then purified through a triple distillation process.

 

AERC has four recycling facilities that can handle your company's lamp recycling needs nationwide.  We have installed equipment in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Ashland, Virginia; Hayward, California and West Melbourne, Florida that recycles more than 30 million lamps annually.  AERC plans further geographic expansion in the near future in order to continue to provide our clients with the most environmentally sound national lamp recycling service in the industry.