To take advantage of these services, visit these (or similar) retail sites and search for a location near you. Drop Off Depots (Specific to Country) CanadaĪside from regular municipal recycling centers, many retailers within Canada have recycling programs that accept burnt out bulbs. However, many recycling centers will accept fluorescent tubes for processing through special programs, so be sure to check with your local depots for collection times and procedures. hazardous) waste and are not accepted by curbside collection because their fragility and potentially toxic components make them harmful to the environment and sanitation workers. Fluorescent tubes are considered to be universal (i.e. Handling fluorescent tubes can be dangerous, too, as they are long and bulky and easy to break. Fluorescent tubesįluorescent tubes contain mercury which makes them hazardous and difficult to recycle. To keep these bulbs out of your landfill, ask your local recycling center if they have a special collection policy for halogens. If this is the case in your city or town, make sure you put the used bulb back into its carton or container or wrap the bulb to prevent it from shattering. Halogen bulbs contain halogen gas, which means they are not easily recycled, and many communities recommend you throw these bulbs in the trash. Check with your local recycling center and ask if they accept LEDs as part of their special collection services. Unfortunately, this means lead and arsenic end up in the landfill and, inevitably, back in the water stream. Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs do not contain mercury but are made with other hazardous substances such as lead and arsenic. Many communities will not accept these bulbs in their recycling program, which means most people throw their burnt out bulbs in the trash, by default. Preparing an incandescent bulb for crafting can be tricky, so follow a guide to hollowing out a bulb. However, make sure you take proper safety precautions before trying out any of these DIY projects. Incandescent light bulbs can be turned into Christmas ornaments, little vases for small plants or mini lamps – you can find thousands of fun ideas on Pinterest alone. If the bulbs are intact and you have a creative streak, you can also try upcycling them. This prevents broken edges from cutting through your garbage bag and creating a mess, and it helps protect you and your waste hauler from accidental injury. If a bulb is broken, wrap it first in paper or plastic before placing it in your trash bin.
Incandescent bulbs and lamps can be tossed into the trash. Again, because these bulbs contain mercury, they should not be tossed out with your regular trash unless your municipality specifically tells you to do so. Make sure the broken pieces are wrapped carefully, and check with your local waste collection agency for proper disposal instructions. If you must clean up a broken CFL bulb, follow the detailed instructions on the US EPA website. Recycling instructions differ from place to place, so check with your local recycling and waste collection offices (see the list of depots at the bottom of this post).ĭue to their mercury content, these bulbs can be hazardous, especially if you have children or pets in the house.
The good news is that the mercury, glass and metal components of a CFL bulb can all be recycled and reused if processed correctly. Mercury is hazardous and must not be thrown away in your regular garbage because toxins seep into landfill groundwater and make their way into our drinking supply. Unfortunately, one of the components that make them so energy efficient is mercury. CFLsĬompact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs use much less energy than older styled bulbs, which makes them very popular. If you’re looking for local recycling depots or information on specific regulations in your country, skip to the list at the end of this post.
Let’s take a look at the many types of lightbulbs currently in use and the general guidelines that do apply in most places. In spite of regional differences, some things hold true no matter where you are. No wonder it’s so hard to keep track of what goes where. Nearly every country and region has its own lightbulb disposal and recycling policy, and there are many different types of bulbs, each with their own special requirements. Most people are in the dark when it comes to lightbulb disposal, with good reason.
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