How to Dispose of Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Save your compact light bulbs and dispose of them properly once the bulb is no longer useful.

Long-lasting compact fluorescent bulbs can be used in anything from a lamp to your hanging chandelier. These bulbs last between two and seven years and consume only a quarter of the energy used to light older filament-based light bulbs. When your bulb does burn out, however, you need to properly dispose of it because the fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury.

Instructions

1. Remove the compact fluorescent bulb from the lamp and store it in a plastic bag or other container. If you have other bulbs that are just as old, you may want to wait for the other bulbs to burn out before disposing of it.

2. Take your light bulbs to a local recycling center. Most cities have some sort of recycling center, and there is a specific location inside the center where you can dispose of the light bulbs. It is also possible to recycle the bulbs at most home improvement locations, such as Lowe's and the Home Depot. If you are unaware of a local recycling center, try to look up the information at Earth911.com.

3. Deposit the compact fluorescent bulbs in the correct location. Most locations have a large canister that allows you to dispose the bulbs. Make sure you take the light bulbs out of the plastic container or storage box as this is not directly recycled with the fluorescent bulbs.

References

• City of College Station: Dispose of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
• Environmental Protection Agency: Mercury-Containing Light Bulbs

Resources

• Earth911