How to Dispose of Halogen Light Bulbs

Halogen light bulbs are a type of incandescent light bulbs and are filled with a halogen gas. The halogen gas gives the bulbs a longer life than traditional incandescent bulbs because it helps redeposit the evaporated tungsten back to the filament. Halogen light bulbs are not the same thing as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL bulbs), which have mercury inside and are often subject to state or local disposal regulations. Also, halogen light bulbs are not recyclable like CFL bulbs are.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper or box

Instructions

1. Handle the light bulb with care. Only take it out of the light fixture when the power is off and cool. Gently pull on the sides of the bulb to remove it from the socket. Sometimes you might have to twist halogen light bulbs slightly in a counter-clockwise direction to release it from a locked position.

2. Wrap up your halogen light bulb in newspaper or place it in their original box or in the box of the light bulb you are replacing it with. This step is not required, but just like wrapping up glass objects, it will help protect the people--including you--who will be handling your trash.

3. Throw it out in your regular trash. There are no federal or state guidelines that mandate any kind of special disposal for halogen light bulbs.

References

• TekLight.com: Haligen Bulb FAQs
• OSRAM.com: Halogen Energy Saver Range FAQ's