How to Dispose of Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs in Los Angeles County

CFLs require special disposal

Energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, are a great way to save energy and reduce your utility bills. The light bulbs, unfortunately, have one drawback -- they contain small amounts of mercury and require special disposal or recycling. In Los Angeles county, local law prohibits disposing of CFLs in your trash or in municipal dumps. Fortunately, Los Angeles county also makes it very easy to dispose of CFLs by taking them to any one of the locations in the county's network of authorized recycling and disposal centers, which includes household hazardous waste centers and participating retail stores.

Things You'll Need

• Used CFLs
• Paper bag
• Disposal facility directory

Instructions

1. Keep used CFLs in a safe place, such as a paper bag in a drawer or closet.

2. Investigate CFL recycling and disposal centers in your area. Look for mobile Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste collection events in the county or for nearby permanent collection centers. The county keeps directories and calendars of both.

3. Drop off your used CFLs in the most convenient location. Waste management professionals will take care of the rest and make sure that your CFLs cause no damage to local soils, waterways or public health.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also take your used CFLs to participating retail stores, including all Home Depot locations and certain IKEA stores. Select the most convenient location among all of your options.

• Do not let your used CFLs accumulate. The more you have stored, the greater the risk of a broken and potentially dangerous CFL. Los Angeles county offers many convenient drop-off locations for you to be able to dispose of your CFLs on a regular basis.

• Broken CFLs can release mercury into the air or ground, so make sure you are not placing them anywhere where they are likely to fall or crash against other objects. Do not place heavy items on top of your used CFLs.

• Contact your local poison control center immediately if a CFL shatters in your home.

References

• LA Department of Public Works: Proper Disposal of CFLs

Resources

• LADPW: HHW Collection Schedule
• LADPW: S.A.F.E. Centers
• Earth 911
• Clean LA
• NPR: CFL Bulbs have One Hitch