How to Locate Recycling Options for CFL Bulbs

The best disposal of a CFL is at a recycling center.

As many of us know - using Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs saves a considerable amount of energy over standard light bulbs. However - the energy savings come at the cost of CFL bulbs containing small amounts of mercury. Mercury is harmful to the environment and therefore CFL bulbs must be properly disposed of and recycled. Here are some of the top resources for recycling these bulbs.

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection

Instructions

1. Search for a disposal facility online at Earth 911 (see Resources). This resource helps find recycling for any hazardous materials.

2. Search the bulb recycling page on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website (see Resources). The EPA lists out recycling centers by state that will accept CFL bulbs.

3. Watch for local events. Many towns offer a household hazardous waste collection day. Save any CFL bulbs to be collected on the day specified by your area.

4. Check with local hardware stores. Often times local hardware stores will take burnt-out bulbs for free and recycle them for you. Also ask home-improvement centers as they often offer free recycling of old bulbs.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a bin to collect burnt out CFL bulbs and return them in bulk rather than one at a time.

• Be careful when storing burnt out bulbs as they do contain mercury.

• CFL bulbs contain mercury. If one breaks, clean it up properly (see Resources).

Resources

• Earth 911
• EPA: Bulb Recycling
• EPA: Cleaning Up a Broken CFL