How to Recycle Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
- 1). Keep CFLs separate from both regular household waste and other recycling materials. Because they contain mercury (albeit a tiny amount, barely enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen), CFLs cannot be disposed of the same way as other materials.
- 2). Store the CFLs in a way that will keep them from breaking, such as in a small box or plastic bag. Most lamp recyclers will not accept broken bulbs because the mercury and phosphors have already been released at that point.
- 3). Familiarize yourself with local recycling centers and the materials they accept. Not all recycling centers are set up to accommodate hazardous materials, so it's best to find this out beforehand. Visit earth911.com to find your nearest approved recycling location. Most Home Depot locations now have a CFL recylcing center set up.
- 4). Another option is to order an approved storage container that you can fill and ship directly to a recycling facility. Websites such as lightbulbrecycling.com sell kits for home and office use.