The Green Routine

Normal incandescent light bulbs do not contain any hazardous waste and may be thrown in the trash. There are no recycling programs for these bulbs at this time. However, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) and other types of fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of a hazardous material called mercury.

Image courtesy of kyshuttergirl

Why Recycle Light Bulbs?

While the amount of mercury in the average CFL light bulb is only 5mg, it can have severe affects on the health of humans and other animals exposed to it. If CFL light bulbs are crushed, or even worse incinerated, the mercury can be released into the air, or water supply. Improperly discarded CFL light bulbs are estimated to release up to 4 tons of mercury into the environment every year. This mercury is absorbed into living organisms which eventually get eaten by humans.

Where Do I Recycle Light Bulbs?

The Home Depot has recently launched a nationwide CFL recycling program. It’s so recent in fact that it won’t show up on any of the links I’m about to give you to locate recycling centers. Ikea also has a nationwide CFL recycling program. If you’re located within a few miles of either of these stores, I highly suggest you recycle your CFL bulbs there. It will be far less painful than visiting your county transfer station, I promise.

I Don’t Live Near Home Depot or Ikea - Where Do I Recycle Light Bulbs?

If you don’t live near one of the aforementioned stores, or you have a fluorescent bulb other than a CFL to recycle, than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests using the EPA - Recycling Programs Where you Live site, or Earth911.org to find a CFL light bulb recycling center near you.

There Are No Recycling Centers Near Me - What Can I Do?

If there are no recycling programs in your area, and you are not a business owner, then you are not required to recycle light bulbs. You are permitted to dispose of compact fluorescent light bulbs in the normal trash. However, before you do so they must be sealed in a plastic bag to prevent mercury from escaping into the environment - at least for the next 1,000 years.