How to Recycle Incandescent Lamps

Regular light bulbs are generally incandescent lamps.

Unlike fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps do not contain harmful substances, such as mercury. This makes the recycling process for incandescent lamps much safer and easier to accomplish than the one for fluorescent lamps. No matter if you have one incandescent lamp or boxes of them, you can properly recycle this material in any part of the country.

Things You'll Need

• Boxes
• Permanent marker
• Labels

Instructions

1. Separate your fluorescent and incandescent bulbs, because the recycling process is different for each.

2. Pack the incandescent lamps into boxes. No lamps should be stacked on top of one another in the boxes to prevent breakage. If possible, put them into their original packaging.

3. Label the boxes with a permanent marker or professional label to ensure the recycling service workers know what's inside.

4. Contact your local recycling centers to find the one nearest you that accepts incandescent lamps for recycling. Websites, such as Earth 911 or your local government office can provide you with contact information for recycling centers in your area.

5. Transport the boxes of incandescent lamps to the recycling center you found. Be sure to let the service worker know what's contained in the boxes and point out the label.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on the amount of incandescent lamps you have, some recycling centers may charge a small fee. Ask about fees before bringing the lamps in to be recycled.

References

• Dunn County Wisconsin: Fluorescent & Incandescent Bulb Recycling

Resources

• Earth 911