How To Dispose Of Fluorescent Light Bulbs Washington State

Other materials in the bulbs get reused.

How to dispose of fluorescent light bulbs washington state. Lightrecycle washington allows washington residents and businesses to recycle up to 10 mercury containing lights per day for free at certain locations across the state recycling mercury containing lights is important to protect human health and the health of the environment. Check with your local garbage and recycling center to see if it is ok to dispose of fluorescents and cfls in the trash. However recycling rates for cfls and other light bulbs are low. But it is a good idea to take a few assessments about your type of business and your location s local and state regulation before you begin to decide how to manage your old broken or unused fluorescent lights.

Many recycling locations have temporarily closed and we expect more to follow. Recycle fluorescent lights cfls and hids at no charge throughout washington state. In the us the states of california maine massachusetts minnesota new hampshire vermont and washington all prohibit throwing away. Fluorescent and hid 1 lamps contain mercury.

According to a november 2004 report by the association of lighting and mercury recyclers an estimated 70 8 percent of the mercury containing lamps used by business and 98 percent of the lamps used in homes are not being recycled. Fluorescent tubes serve as an energy efficient alternative to incandescent light bulbs but they contain low levels of toxic mercury which can be released into the air or water if the tubes are broken. Check with your local health department solid waste agency or landfill for specific requirements as well as recycling or disposal options. Check your local laws.

When broken incinerated or buried in a landfill they release mercury into the air water and soil and endanger human health and the environment. Recycling mercury containing lights is important to protect our health and the health of our environment. These bulbs contain mercury which is toxic so many places have laws against disposing of them in the trash. Given the current situation we encourage you to reserve your recycling for when the covid 19 pandemic has passed.

Recycling cfls and other fluorescent bulbs allows reuse of the glass metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling. Lightrecycle washington allows washington residents and businesses to recycle up to 10 mercury containing lights per day for free at certain locations across the state. That can lead to short term health risk for exposed individuals and lasting environmental damage to soil and water.

Disposal options for fluorescent and hid lamps in new york state. The epa recommended method for the safe disposal of all types of fluorescent light bulbs is actually recycling.