Recycling Old CFLs

Recycle Your Old CFLs
Since Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs do contain a small amount of mercury and electronics it's important to properly dispose of your old bulbs. Many communities offer free programs for disposing of household hazardous waste including CFLs. Some household hazardous waste collection programs only collect items once or twice a year, so may need to hold on to your CFLs until the collection takes place. If you do have to hang onto your old CFLs store them in a safe location where they will not get broken or damaged until the time of the pickup. Some collection programs provide collection services throughout the year. In addition to mercury-containing light bulbs, these programs may also collect paints, pesticides, cleaning supplies or batteries.

How to find a recycling program in your community.
To find a program near you visit the Environmental Protection Agencies website at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/id/univwast/lamps/live.htm for an interactive map to help you find a hazardous waste pickup program in your community. If you cannot find your community listed on the site contact your local city or county government to find a program near you.

Related Pages:

Proper Disposal of Your Old CFLs
Since CFLs do contain small amounts of mercury and electronic components it's important to recycle them whenever possible.

How to Cleanup a Broken CFL
Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing so it's important to follow some quick and easy steps when cleaning up a broken CFL.