Where To Recycle Long Fluorescent Bulbs

Recycling cfls and other fluorescent bulbs allows reuse of the glass metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights.

Where to recycle long fluorescent bulbs.

Why recycle fluorescent tubes. 66273 8 contact the california department of toxic substances control. Dave lake of colerain township has been replacing his unattractive fluorescent light bulbs in his home with new led bulbs. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.

Energy efficient light bulbs are a type of fluorescent lamp and can be recycled at local recycling centres. The easiest option is to take your old bulbs to your local home center or hardware store when buying new ones. 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. First try to buy your bulbs at a store that will take them back for recycling.

Older style incandescent bulbs aren t recyclable and should be thrown away in your rubbish bin. Some cfl bulb manufacturers may also provide pre labeled containers for recycling used bulbs through the mail. You don t want it to break in your car. Currently most recycling centers only accept fluorescent tubes and cfl bulbs as these contain mercury a precious metal making it valuable.

Pack your tube in newspaper or bubble wrap when transporting to a recycling center or household hazardous waste event. So he has been taking his old bulbs to lowe s and home depot for. The mercury is also hazardous allowing these bulbs to be classified as universal waste. Now all fluorescent lamps and tubes must be recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility a universal waste handler e g storage facility or broker or an authorized recycling facility.

Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling. Other materials in the bulbs get reused. If you only have a few fluorescent light bulbs needing recycling you may be able to take advantage of your local county s household hazardous waste hhw drop off site. Energy efficient light bulbs save you money and help the environment by using less electricity.

The dnr recommends that even green fluorescent bulbs be recycled because they often do contain measurable amounts of mercury. This is why batteries plus bulbs accepts all types of light bulbs for recycling. This means cfl and fluorescent bulbs are accepted at most hhw facilities and home depot and lowe s. There s no recycling market for broken fluorescent lamps.