Fluorescent Lightbulb Recycling

Fluorescent bulbs, whether compact or long tubes, are more efficient lighting than traditional bulbs. However, the bulbs contain mercury that can be a risk to the environment. Recycling bulbs can keep mercury out of the environment.

Mercury

• Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury. When fluorescent light bulbs are thrown out in the regular trash they can contaminate the environment. When they are in landfills they can break and leak into groundwater. Trash incinerators can release mercury in the air, where it can drift and contaminate the surrounding area. Recycling keeps mercury from escaping into the environment.

Recycling Programs

• Recycling bulbs can be a challenge. Some municipalities currently have programs to pick up bulbs. The Home Depot recycles compact fluorescent bulbs at its stores in the United States and Canada. If no municipal or local retailers have programs to take bulbs, websites like LightBulbRecycling.com offers pre-paid shipping containers for recycling bulbs.

Statistics

• The EPA estimates 670 million bulbs are tossed out every year. That produces more than 30,000 lbs of mercury waste in landfills, with over 70,000 lbs emitted from incinerators.

State Laws

• California, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin all have laws that prohibit disposing of mercury bulbs in regular trash. Recycling bulbs is an option to keep compliant with state laws.