Light Bulbs and Light Tubes

If you are not sure the types of bulbs you have, you need to identify the type first.

Here is a comprehensible guide to identify types of lamps by Lamp Plus.

If you prefer a video by Illustra Lighting explaining how to identify.

Click HERE.

Now you know the type of a bulb you are recycling or disposing, check out the following for the proper methods.

CFLs are popular for their efficiencies.

CFLs use up to 75% less electricity
CFLs last up to 10 times longer
Life expectancy approx. 10 years
CFLs produce 75% less heat, reducing home cooling demands, resulting in higher energy savings.
There are 7 states which ban the disposal of CFLs in landfills.
Mercury is a precious metal in a limited supply and a necessary component, in CFLs and other electronic products. However, mercury is not harmful when it is intact in CFL but is toxic when it spilled or vaporized. Therefore, CFLs cannot be put into a regular trash bin because it can contaminate landfills and potentially migrate out of landfills to rivers, oceans, and lands. For those reasons, CFLs should be handled responsively and recycled. However, CFLs has been gradually disappearing from stores and been replaced by LED bulbs.

CFLs contain mercury, which is hazardous when released into the environment. Unbroken CFLs are safe, but broken bulbs can release toxic mercury vapor.
CFLs should never be disposed of in regular trash bins because mercury can contaminate landfills, water sources, and soil.
Seven U.S. states (California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington) prohibit landfill disposal of CFLs and require proper recycling.
CFLs are being phased out in favor of LED bulbs, which are more energy-efficient and mercury-free.
The recycling locations of Household Hazardous collection sites could be found with the link HERE. Homedepot, Lowe's, and IKEA also offer. recycling to their customers.

Another recycling option would be mail back programs. The following companies offer the services with a charge.
- Republic Services
- TerraCycle
- EcoLights
- LampRecycling.com
- WM Lamp Tracker
- Other local locations in Illinois, click here published by EPA.

Fluorescent tubes are commonly used in commercial, industrial, and residential settings due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan.
Mercury content: Like CFLs, fluorescent tubes contain small amounts of mercury, which makes proper disposal crucial to prevent environmental contamination.

Fluorescent tubes should never be placed in regular trash bins due to their mercury content, which can contaminate landfills and the environment.
Federal regulations under the EPA classify fluorescent lamps as hazardous waste, but some states allow households to dispose of them in municipal landfills.
Several states (including California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington) prohibit landfill disposal of fluorescent tubes and require proper recycling.
Regardless of state laws, the EPA strongly recommends recycling fluorescent tubes through designated hazardous waste or recycling programs.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection sites .
Retailer drop-off programs – Some Home Depot, Lowe’s, and IKEA locations accept fluorescent tubes (check with your local store).
Mail-back recycling programs (fees apply):
Check with local waste management agencies for state-specific disposal regulations and recycling options.

LED, HID, and UV lamps may contain hazardous materials like mercury or other heavy metals, which can pose risks to human health and the environment if improperly disposed of or handled.
Many households dispose of these bulbs in regular trash, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly recommends recycling or proper disposal to prevent harmful contamination.

LED, HID, and UV lamps should not be thrown away in regular trash. Instead, they should be recycled through hazardous waste or specialty recycling programs.
EPA guidelines emphasize the importance of proper disposal and recommend that these lamps be taken to Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection sites for safe recycling.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection sites – Find local drop-off locations [HERE].
Mail-back recycling programs (fees may apply):

For detailed clean-up instructions if a bulb breaks, visit:

🔗 EPA Clean-Up Guidance

Leave the area: Ensure that people and pets leave the room where the bulb broke.
Do NOT vacuum: Vacuuming can spread mercury vapor and contaminate the area further.
Wear protective gear: Wear gloves and a mask. Never touch mercury with bare hands.
Ventilate the room: Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening windows and doors.
Turn off HVAC systems: Shut off central air or fans to avoid circulating mercury particles.
Prepare a cleaning kit: Gather necessary materials such as:
- Stiff paper or cardboard
- Sticky tape (e.g., duct tape)
- Damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces)
- A glass jar with a metal lid or a seal-able plastic bag for storing debris.

Be thorough: Carefully collect broken glass and visible powder from the bulb.
Seal all materials: Place the cleanup materials in a sealed container to prevent the mercury from escaping.

Temporary storage: Place the sealed container with bulb debris and cleaning materials in a safe and protected spot outside the home until it can be properly disposed of. A plastic bag alone will not prevent mercury vapor from escaping.
Air out the room: Continue airing out the room for several hours and keep the HVAC system shut off.

For detailed clean-up instructions, visit:🔗 EPA Clean-Up Guidance

Incandescent light bulbs are generally considered safe to dispose of in household trash because the components are not typically recyclable due to their small and complex structure.
If the bulb is broken, carefully wrap the pieces securely in thick paper or place them in a sealed container to prevent injury from broken glass.