How To Dispose Of Fluorescent Bulbs Near Me
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.
How to dispose of fluorescent bulbs near me. The mercury is also hazardous allowing these bulbs to be classified as universal waste. Using them will help lower your electric bill. Fluorescent bulb recycling all fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury and new jersey residents have many options regarding how to handle spent bulbs maine compact fluorescent lamp breakage study report. The dnr recommends that even green fluorescent bulbs be recycled because they often do contain measurable amounts of mercury.
Breathing mercury s fumes eating mercury contaminated fish or touching spilled mercury can be harmful. Just remember you should not break fluorescent bulbs or throw them in a trash can as they contain harmful. Recycling cfls and other fluorescent bulbs allows reuse of the glass metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lamps are approximately 75 more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last 5 10 times longer.
1 hid high intensity discharge bulbs include metal halide high pressure sodium and mercury vapor lamps used commonly in commercial indoor and outdoor lighting and other specialty lighting. How to recycle fluorescent tubes. Luckily these tubes will last up to 15 000 hours so you won t need to worry about recycling them often. Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling.
Recycle fluorescent lights cfls and hids at no charge throughout washington state. Or you can call 1 800 cleanup part of earth 911 to find a recycling center near you. Acceptable items include fluorescent light bulbs thermometers thermostats button cell batteries and electronics. Other materials in the bulbs get reused.
How to recycle led bulbs. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled. This means cfl and fluorescent bulbs are accepted at most hhw facilities and home depot. 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.
First try to buy your bulbs at a store that will take them back for recycling. Search by city or town street address or. The mercury inside fluorescent tube lights is hazardous so extra care should be taken to ensure that this material doesn t leak. Many recycling locations have temporarily closed and we expect more to follow.
Given the current situation we encourage you to reserve your recycling for when the covid 19 pandemic has passed. Currently most recycling centers only accept fluorescent tubes and cfl bulbs as these contain mercury a precious metal making it valuable.