Fluorescent Light Disposal

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

Fluorescent light disposal.

Recycling cfls and other fluorescent bulbs allows reuse of the glass metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. So he has been taking his old bulbs to lowe s and home depot for recycling. How to recycle fluorescent tubes. But it is a good idea to.

Managing and recycling cfls. 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. Disposal of fluorescent light ballasts flb polychlorinated biphenyls pcbs were commonly used in the small capacitor within fluorescent light ballasts.

It s a small trade off for the benefit of more efficient bulbs which last longer and require less coal or oil fired electricity. Given the current situation we encourage you to reserve your recycling for when the covid 19 pandemic has passed. Why do cfl bulbs need special disposal. 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.

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. This is why batteries plus bulbs accepts all types of light bulbs for recycling. Luckily under the environmental protection agency s epa universal waste rule many mercury containing light bulbs can be treated as non hazardous waste if properly recycled. Cfl bulbs are considered hazardous waste in many areas and require a little more planning when it comes to disposal.

Ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain pcbs. The mercury inside fluorescent tube lights is hazardous so extra care should be taken to ensure that this material doesn t leak. Cfl bulbs contain about 5 milligrams of mercury which can be toxic to the environment. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.

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. Dave lake of colerain township has been replacing his unattractive fluorescent light bulbs in his home with new led bulbs. Luckily these tubes will last up to 15 000 hours so you won t need to worry about recycling them often. Not many retailers collect fluorescent bulbs but some do you can try any local batteries plus bulb store located throughout the united states.

Recycle fluorescent lights cfls and hids at no charge throughout washington state. According to epa. Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling.