Fluorescent Light Disposal

Fees may apply and will vary based on bulb type and store location.

Fluorescent light disposal.

Cfl bulbs are considered hazardous waste in many areas and require a little more planning when it comes to disposal. How to recycle fluorescent tubes. According to epa. Cfl bulbs contain about 5 milligrams of mercury which can be toxic to the environment.

Given the current situation we encourage you to reserve your recycling for when the covid 19 pandemic has passed. Not many retailers collect fluorescent bulbs but some do you can try any local batteries plus bulb store located throughout the united states. Why do cfl bulbs need special disposal. In some areas it s actually illegal to dispose of fluorescent tubes in the trash so be sure to follow the proper steps in recycling your fluorescent tubes to avoid breaking the law or damaging people s health.

Ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain pcbs. Recycling cfls and other fluorescent bulbs allows reuse of the glass metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled. Luckily these tubes will last up to 15 000 hours so you won t need to worry about recycling them often.

Disposal of fluorescent light ballasts flb polychlorinated biphenyls pcbs were commonly used in the small capacitor within fluorescent light ballasts. They also accept and recycle almost any type of light bulb so you can make one trip and take care of all your old light bulbs at once. Managing and recycling cfls. No matter the type of light bulb from fluorescent to incandescent to cfl to halogen it is always recommended to recycle used bulbs safely and properly.

It s a small trade off for the benefit of more efficient bulbs which last longer and require less coal or oil fired electricity. While compact fluorescent lightbulbs cfls have extensive recycling options through retail drop offs and mail in programs the same can t be said for fluorescent tubes. But it is a good idea to. Many recycling locations have temporarily closed and we expect more to follow.

The epa recommended method for the safe disposal of all types of fluorescent light bulbs is actually recycling. Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling. Recycle fluorescent lights cfls and hids at no charge throughout washington state. So he has been taking his old bulbs to lowe s and home depot for recycling.

This is why batteries plus bulbs accepts all types of light bulbs for recycling. The mercury inside fluorescent tube lights is hazardous so extra care should be taken to ensure that this material doesn t leak. Dave lake of colerain township has been replacing his unattractive fluorescent light bulbs in his home with new led bulbs.