5 Ways to Dispose of Old CFLs
- Your Local Garbage Service. Probably the best place to start is with whoever currently picks up your household trash or recyclables.
- Municipal Government. Whether or not local trash service is provided by a private contractor, your local municipality (city, county or parish) is ultimately responsible for waste disposal.
- Retailers. Unless you bought CFLs from Ikea, one of the first major vendors to offer a free take-back program, you're probably going to get some blank stares when you ...
- Earth 911. Earth 911 is probably the United States and Canada's largest online clearinghouse of recycling information.
- Commercial Services. There are a variety of for-profit companies that provide CFL and fluorescent bulb disposal by mail. ...
How to dispose of CFL bulbs sustainably?
Where To Throw & Recycle CFLs?
- Contact a Local Waste Collection Company. Check online to find collection schedules in your location or drop-off sites if curbside collections are not an option.
- Visit Local Retailers. Various retailers and hardware supply stores offer in-store recycling. ...
- Look for Mail-back Services. What To Do If A CFL Bulb Breaks? ...
Where can I dispose of CFL light bulbs?
- Waste Collection Services – Earth911.com has a list of waste collection services. ...
- Waste Recycling Centers – Some recycling centers will accept the bulbs and Earth911.com is a good resource to find these centers, too. ...
- Local Retailers – Some local retailers and national stores offer a bulb recycling service. ...
Can I put CFL in the oven?
The appliance bulb is fine for the oven or fridge. An led if you can find one that fits would work in the fridge but would burn up in the oven. A CFL if it fit might work in the fridge but they don’t like cold Temps are fragile and would release a small amount of mercury and the glass when it brakes. A CFL would burn up in the oven. Reply
How can the cost of use CFL be minimized?
Yes, you can replace CFL with LED Bulbs. Replacing CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) with LED bulbs can help you minimize maintenance time and costs since they use less energy than other lighting options. They also reduce replacement lamp costs. Replacing your CFLs with LED light bulbs can also help you reduce your electricity bill.
Where can I dispose of CFL bulbs near me?
You can take your CFLs to an antifreeze, batteries, oil, paint (ABOP) facility, or a household hazardous waste event. They are also accepted at all Home Depot, IKEA, Batteries + Bulbs, and Lowe's stores in the U.S., as well as many regional chains. Find a drop-off location near you using our Recycling Locator.
How do you dispose of CFL bulbs in India?
You could reach out to them. For CFL and Tubelights, the gas inside needs to be sucked out from the tubes. This needs special equipment, and the processing company actually charges us to recycle the lamps we give them.
How should LED light bulbs be disposed?
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). Enter your zip code to find the nearest recycling center.
How do you clean CFL bulbs?
Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
Why damaged fluorescent tubes and CFLs need to be disposed safely?
Disposal of CFLs is a major environmental concern because these contain mercury, a neurotoxin. High levels of mercury intake can damage the brain, the reproductive system, foetuses and cause behavioural problems.
Is Tubelight an e-waste?
All Tubelights, CFLs, Fluorescent Light Bulbs are all contain elements that are hazardous in nature which is why they are all classified as Hazardous Household Waste.
Does Lowes accept CFL bulbs for recycling?
Keep in mind Lowe's stores offer a recycling center (usually near the entrance) that accepts plastic bags, CFL bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and cellphones. Lowe's also accepts plastic planter pots and cases in the garden center for recycling.
Do LED bulbs need to be recycled?
Many people throw away LED light bulbs, but they should be recycled. LEDs use tiny microchips to conduct electrical current. These include trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic. Some communities have recycling collections for LED bulbs to try to prevent them from ending up in a landfill.
How do I recycle light bulbs?
How to recycle light bulbs. Energy efficient light bulbs can be recycled at most larger Recycling Centres and some stores - find your nearest below. Older style 'incandescent' bulbs aren't recyclable and should be put in the waste bin.
What happens if CFL bulb breaks?
Despite some alarming news reports, you don't have much to worry about. If a CFL breaks, some of the mercury that's contained in the bulb will evaporate into the air.
Do all CFL bulbs contain mercury?
Manufacturers of fluorescent lighting products are working to reduce the amount of mercury content in CFLs. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (i.e., not broken) or in use, but mercury vapor and very small beads of mercury can be released when a CFL is broken.
Are CFL bulbs safe?
While mercury is a highly toxic substance, only a very small amount is used in a CFL, about the amount to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. There is no risk to your health when the lamps are unbroken. Even when a CFL is broken, there is a very low risk to your health, unless you mishandle it or store it carelessly.
Does Lowes recycle CFLS?
Keep in mind Lowe's stores offer a recycling center (usually near the entrance) that accepts plastic bags, CFL bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and cellphones. Lowe's also accepts plastic planter pots and cases in the garden center for recycling.
Can Tubelight be recycled?
Used tubelights can now be recycled into laboratory apparatus that are cheap and as good as those available in the market.
Should I recycle the plastic bags like the ones we get at supermarkets?
Can Plastic Bags Be Recycled? Plastic bags that you get at the grocery store shouldn't be put in your recycling bin. The same is true for any thin, flexible bag made from plastic. The reason is because they are usually made from either high-density polyethylene or low-density polyethylene.
What is a CFL bulb?
Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) bulbs are a form of energy-saving light bulb. Electric current is passed through a tube, in which there is a combination of argon and mercury vapor. The reaction excites a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube and gives off visible light.
Where to store bulbs before recycling?
Before your bulbs can be sent for recycling, you will have to store them safely within your home or other premises. Ideally, you should place the spent bulb back in its original box or in the box that you got the replacement from.
Can You Throw LED Light Bulbs in The Garbage?
One of the benefits of LED bulbs is that they do not contain mercury, either. They can, technically, be thrown in with your standard garbage. Like incandescent bulbs, there are some elements of the LED bulb that cannot be recycled, but it is estimated that 95% of the bulb can be recycled and reused. As such, it is environmentally friendly to find a recycling service that will take this type of bulb.
Can You Throw Away Old Lightbulbs?
LED bulbs are also considered safe to be thrown in landfills, although you can find companies that will recycle them. CFL, fluorescent, and other bulbs that contain mercury, however, are considered hazardous. They cannot be thrown in the trash and you will have to find a recycling center or a local store that operates a recycling scheme to safely dispose of this type of bulb.
Can you throw CFL bulbs in the trash?
CFL and other bulbs that contain mercury should not be thrown in the normal trash. Although there is only a very small amount of mercury, when the bulbs break, this mercury escapes into the air and may also get into standing water and water sources.
Can CFL bulbs be recycled?
However, while this makes the CFL bulb more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, it does still contain mercury so this style of energy-saving bulb should be disposed of properly. CFL bulbs can be recycled, but not usually in your kerbside recycling, preventing the escape of mercury into the environment and sending the constituent components of the bulb for recycling and reuse.
Can you still get CFL bulbs?
Although some manufacturers have ceased producing the CFL bulb, in favor of the LED bulb, they can still be obtained and there is a very good chance that your home has at least one such bulb.
Is mercury in CFL bulbs?
But now, with many swapping their CFLs for LEDs (light-emitting diode), it’s important that old CFL bulbs, which contain mercury – a hazard ous, toxic metal – are disposed of properly.
Do CFLs go in the trash?
CFLs really don’t belong in the regular trash, but not just any old recycling bin will do either. Here are a few tips to help you find local recycling services or facilities that will take your old CFL bulbs and dispose of them in an eco-friendly fashion.
What Exactly Are CFL Bulbs?
CFL standard for compact fluorescent lamp, and it is a type of lightbulb that is the most commonly used in households. They are an energy saving lightbulb and are the better choice when it comes to choosing light bulbs such as incandescent ones.
What Are My Other Options?
Antifreeze, batteries, oil and paint (ABOP) has its own facility, and CFL bulbs can be recycled in this facility – which you can find in Home Depot or Ikea, along with some other stores. Failing this, you can use a mail-back service like Ecolights, but you may have to pay a small fee for the service.
Summary
Reusing and recycling has never been more important, so if we can continue to find ways to economically use and reuse our items, we are all going to benefit.
How to clean up a CFL?
If you should break a CFL or other fluorescent lamp in your home, the FDEP recommends that you use the following guidelines for clean up: 1. Ventilate the room. a. Open a window. b. Leave the room and restrict access for at least 30-minutes. c. If available, point a floor or pedestal fan at the open window.
How much mercury is in a CFL?
Each CFL does contain a small amount of mercury, usually around 5 milligrams, an amount that would cover the tip of a ball point pen. In comparison, a mercury fever thermometer usually contains about 500 milligrams of mercury.
Can you throw broken CFLs in the trash?
Do not throw broken CFLs in household trash!
Should mercury be kept out of the environment?
Mercury should be kept out of the environment, and although CFLs have a very small amount of this element, a responsible user will realize that everyone’s contribution to environmental stewardship by recycling is important.
Can you dispose of CFLs in the trash?
Spent CFLs should never be disposed of in regular household trash. Energy Star qualified CFLs have a warranty, so if the bulb fails within the warranty period, you may be able to return it to your retailer for replacement. If recycling is not an option, FDEP recommends that they be taken to a household hazardous waste collection site. These recommendations apply to recycling/disposal of all fluorescent bulbs, including fluorescent tube lamps and CFLs.
How to dispose of CFLs?
There are a variety of for-profit companies that provide CFL and fluorescent bulb disposal by mail. Failing a local option, these firms represent a responsible and environmentally friendly channel for CFL recycling. Lightbulbrecycling.com, for instance, will send you a handy, postage-paid plastic pail which will accommodate about 30 CFLs — more than most homes will use in many years. Just drop your spent CFLs in their well-engineered pail, and call FedEx for pick-up. The downside is that the service is quite expensive: about $120 per shipment. At today's prices, this almost triples the unit price of your CFL. On the other hand, with the energy you'll save with each bulb, you're still ahead of the game. You'll also know for sure that your CFLs are being recycled in a safe fashion.
How to dispose of mercury in CFLs?
Rather than disposing of them with household trash, simply store expended CFLs until easy recycling is available in your area. A five-gallon PVC bucket with sealable top can be scrounged from most construction sites or purchased new for less than $10. It should safely contain a couple dozen bulbs. A sturdy cardboard box lined with a heavy plastic garbage bag should also do the trick. Just place your CFL storage container out of harm's way so it won’t be dropped, crushed or otherwise disturbed.
Is curbside recycling universal?
Try the listing for sanitation services. While curbside recycling is by no means universal, your area may have designated drop-off locations or periodic CFL collections. Should your local agency not have any CFL-specific provisions, ask about safe disposal of mercury or fluorescent tubes.
Is 25 light bulbs a hard sell?
But let's face it: $25 light bulbs are still a hard sell, even if they'll recoup many times their purchase price in the form of lower energy bills. That leaves the much cheaper CFL (compact fluorescent lightbulb) as efficiency champ until consumers get over the sticker shock of LED bulbs.
Do CFL bulbs go in the trash?
But there's a catch: CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, which is toxic and tough to get out of the environment. CFL bulbs don't belong in your regular trash when they finally burn out. So what to do with them?
What is the Easiest Way to Dispose of CFL Bulbs?
The easiest option is to take your old bulbs to your local home center or hardware store when buying new ones. Stores such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Batteries Plus, IKEA and independent hardware chains, will do the recycling for you.
How Else Can I Recycle CFLs?
For details and an expanded list of safe and local disposal options, go to Earth911.com. This database of 100,000 recycling and hazardous waste sites provides details for proper disposal of CFLs or anything else you need to recycle.
Why Do CFL Bulbs Need Special Disposal?
CFL bulbs contain about 5 milligrams of mercury, which can be toxic to the environment.
What if a CFL Bulb Breaks?
Because a broken CFL bulb can expose a person to mercury vapor, take quick precautions if this happens at home. The EPA recommends these steps:
How to clean a broken CFL bulb?
Because a broken CFL bulb can expose a person to mercury vapor, take quick precautions if this happens at home. The EPA recommends these steps: 1 Turn off any fans or heating and cooling systems so fumes are contained. 2 Open a window and let the room ventilate for 10 minutes. 3 Use cardboard to scoop and lift up the large pieces. Use gloves and sticky tape to pick up smaller pieces and shards that are kept contained in a sealed plastic bag. 4 Wipe down the area with a wet paper towel or old towel that can also be sealed up. Take the broken bulb remnants to your recycler, if possible.
What are some hazardous materials that can be collected in a county?
Many counties also have household hazardous waste sites for collecting bulbs and other potentially toxic materials, such as solvents and unused paint.
How to get rid of broken light bulb?
Use cardboard to scoop and lift up the large pieces. Use gloves and sticky tape to pick up smaller pieces and shards that are kept contained in a sealed plastic bag. Wipe down the area with a wet paper towel or old towel that can also be sealed up. Take the broken bulb remnants to your recycler, if possible.
