Fluorescent Lamp Disposal

How to recycle fluorescent tubes.

Fluorescent lamp disposal.

Visit earth911 to locate both retail and local government locations to recycle cfls and fluorescent tubes. Managing waste mercury lamps this website outlines the proper management recycling and transporting of waste mercury lamps including fluorescent tubes and many. Recycle fluorescent lights cfls and hids at no charge throughout washington state. Maine vermont and washington state require stewardship.

Cfl bulbs contain about 5 milligrams of mercury which can be toxic to the environment. Recycling cfls and other fluorescent bulbs allows reuse of the glass metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Where to recycle light bulbs. Why do cfl bulbs need special disposal.

Compact fluorescent lamps cfls. Luckily these tubes will last up to 15 000 hours so you won t need to worry about recycling them often. Many local governments operated household hazardous waste sites or collective events and accept cfls fluorescent tubes and hid lamps either for free or minimal cost to recycle. However the brochure entitled fluorescent lamps and the environment contains general background information on fluorescent lamps such as why there is mercury in fluorescent lamps.

Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled. When your lamps and lights burn out choose a long lasting. Cfl bulbs are considered hazardous waste in many areas and require a little more planning when it comes to disposal. Many recycling locations have temporarily closed and we expect more to follow.

The mercury inside fluorescent tube lights is hazardous so extra care should be taken to ensure that this material doesn t leak. While compact fluorescent lightbulbs cfls have extensive recycling options through retail drop offs and mail in programs the same can t be said for fluorescent tubes. Now that you have a basic understanding of the different types of light bulbs and lamps you can see that while it may seem complicated it is important to do your homework and dispose of your light bulbs responsibly. Given the current situation we encourage you to reserve your recycling for when the covid 19 pandemic has passed.

Social distancing is strongly encouraged as is staying home. It s a small trade off for the benefit of more efficient bulbs which last longer and require less coal or oil fired electricity. In some areas it s actually illegal to dispose of fluorescent tubes in the trash so be sure to follow the proper steps in recycling your fluorescent tubes to avoid breaking the law or damaging people s health. This is why batteries plus bulbs accepts all types of light bulbs for recycling.

Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling.