How do you dispose of CFL light bulbs?

Dispose them in the general waste bin (EXCEPT fluorescent-based bulbs) and never in the recycling bin. If you break a CFL bulb (which contains mercury), you must: Turn off all ceiling fans and air conditioning units.

Are CFL bulbs hazardous waste?

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are not listed as hazardous waste in 40 CFR Part 261, Subpart D, but do contain vaporous mercury (a toxic, persistent, and bio-accumulative pollutant).

Does Lowes dispose of CFL bulbs?

Lowe’s offers in-store recycling for plastic plant pots, plastic bags, CFL bulbs and rechargeable batteries! Simply collect your CFL bulbs and drop them into the appropriate in-store recycling bin, and Lowe’s will take care to dispose of them properly.

How do you dispose of CFL and compact fluorescent bulbs?

Safe light bulb disposal

1. Standard light bulbs should be disposed of in normal household waste.
2. Compact fluorescent lamps are energy saving light bulbs and do not belong in the rubbish bin.
3. Halogen Light bulbs should be disposed of in normal household waste.

How do you dispose of CFL bulbs in California?

Take lamps and tubes to a household hazardous waste collection center or event. Find where to recycle or dispose fluorescent lamps and tubes at Where Can I Recycle My…?, or Earth 911, or call 800 CLEAN-UP (253-2687).

Does Home Depot take CFL bulbs?

You can bring old CFLs to The Home Depot for free recycling. Visit the Eco Options website to learn more. If you’re concerned about the mercury content in CFLs, consider LED bulbs.

How do you dispose of lightbulbs?

Incandescent bulbs and lamps can be tossed into the trash. If a bulb is broken, wrap it first in paper or plastic before placing it in your trash bin. 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.

What happens if a CFL bulb breaks?

If a CFL breaks, some of the mercury that’s contained in the bulb will evaporate into the air. If a bulb breaks, only 0.67 milligrams of mercury (one-third of 40 percent of 5 milligrams) might become airborne in the room during the first eight hours, and only a fraction of that would be breathed in.

Why do CFL bulbs need to be recycled?

Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. Other materials in the bulbs get reused.

How to dispose of CFL bulbs safely?

How to Dispose of a CFL Bulb Recycle. Check if there is a local organization or government agency that takes CFL light bulbs. Bag it. If there is no place to recycle your CFL light bulb, seal in a plastic bag and put it in the trash. Pay to get rid of it. Sweep, don’t vacuum, if a CFL light bulb breaks.

What are the risks of CFL light bulbs?

Sounds good-until you realize that CFL bulbs contain mercury, and mercury poses a significant cancer risk. A new study shows that CFL bulbs also emit high levels of ultraviolet radiation-specifically, UVC and UVA rays. In fact, the UV rays are so strong that they can actually burn skin and skin cells.

Why we should use CFL light bulbs?

The most common reason people use compact fluorescent bulbs is to save energy . You probably don’t want to use a CFL bulb in the vintage chandelier hanging above your dining room table. However, there are some other applications for these lamps that you see quite often.