How To Dispose Of Light Bulbs With Mercury
You can consider using a drop cloth e g plastic sheet or beach towel when changing a fluorescent light bulb in case a breakage should occur.
How to dispose of light bulbs with mercury. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled. Light bulbs that contain even small traces of mercury are considered hazardous and require special disposal procedures each municipality has specific regulations for the disposal of such materials but luckily there are a number of ways to stay in compliance. Remove bulb store it somewhere safe. Mercury light bulbs fluorescent and high intensity discharge bulbs are energy efficient inexpensive and used in a variety of residential commercial and industrial situations including schools.
However before disposing of a cfl lightbulb consult the guidelines provided below to help dpw to safely dispose of them in the district of columbia. Breathing mercury s fumes eating mercury contaminated fish or touching spilled mercury can be harmful. How to dispose of cfl and fluorescent light bulbs unlike incandescent bulbs cfl compact fluorescent light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury about 4 milligrams of the toxic metal. You can use this service to find mercury product recycling drop off locations.
Some states and local jurisdictions have more stringent regulations than u s. Incandescent and halogen bulbs are safe to dispose of with household waste. Search by city or town street address or. Here are three easy steps you can take when you need to safely dispose of mercury containing lights.
Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling. Recycling fluorescent lighting also recovers valuable materials like glass aluminium and phosphor that can be used in products like fertilizer and aluminium cans. There s no single answer to how to dispose of light bulbs since the process differs per type of bulb. Acceptable items include fluorescent light bulbs thermometers thermostats button cell batteries and electronics.
The drop cloth will help prevent mercury contamination of nearby surfaces and can be bundled with the bulb debris for disposal.