How to Clean Up and Dispose of a Broken Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL)
Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, last longer and are cheaper to operate than old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs. CFLs can help reduce greenhouse gases, according to Energy Star, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency department that focuses on saving energy. Unfortunately, these bulbs also contain up to 4 mg of mercury, a poisonous substance. When a CFL shatters, take precautions to ensure safe clean up. Because state and local governments have different rules for disposing of broken CFLs, check with your local city, county or waste disposal company to find out how to dispose of hazardous materials. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stiff piece of paper or cardboard
- Glass jar with metal lid or plastic zip-close bag
- Damp paper towels or disposable moist wipes
- Tape
Instructions
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1
Remove all people and animals from the room, but do not allow anyone to walk through the area where the CFL broke. Turn off fans and central heating and cooling units, and open all the windows in the room. Leave the room for at least 10 minutes.
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2
Slide the edge of the cardboard or stiff paper carefully under the pieces of broken glass and bits of powder to collect as much as possible. Pour the collected material into the glass jar or plastic zip-close bag. Continue scooping and adding collected material to the jar or bag. Place the paper or cardboard into the glass jar or plastic bag when you finish collecting the larger pieces.
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3
Pat the adhesive side of a sticky tape, such as duct tape, on the floor or carpeting where the CFL broke to pick up any leftover remnants of the bulb. Drop the used tape into the glass jar or plastic bag. Repeat if necessary with a fresh piece of tape.
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4
Wipe the floor with the damp paper towels or disposable wipes. Place the used paper towels or wipes into the glass jar or bag.
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Immediately take the glass jar or plastic bag outside and place it in a trashcan or other enclosed, protected area until the material can be disposed of properly. As soon as practical, call your local government's environmental protection department to find out the rules for disposing of a broken CFL. If allowed, seal the plastic bag or glass jar securely and leave it in your household's outdoor trash bin for collection.
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Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
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Tips & Warnings
If you must vacuum to get the remaining bits of debris, leave the windows open and empty the vacuum cleaner bag or container into a sealable container as soon as you finish. Leave the windows open and the central air off for several hours, if possible.
Never use a broom or vacuum cleaner to collect broken CFLs, because this releases more mercury into the air. If the mercury touches your clothing or shoes, discard them. Washing contaminated clothing in the washer contaminates the washer and can wash mercury into the sewage system.
References
Resources
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