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Disposal and Recycling Guidelines for CFLs, Fluorescent Tubes, LEDs, HIDs, and Other Light Bulbs

Different light bulbs require different disposal methods. Compact fluorescent lamps, fluorescent tubes, and many high-intensity discharge lamps contain mercury and should be recycled through appropriate collection programs. LEDs do not contain mercury but may contain electronic components and can be recycled through certain e-waste or lighting-recycling programs.


Do not place bulbs, tubes, or lamps in curbside recycling unless your local program specifically accepts them. Light-bulb glass is different from bottle and jar glass and can interfere with recycling equipment.


Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Compact fluorescent lamps, commonly called CFLs, are the spiral, twist, folded-tube, or small tube-shaped bulbs that became popular as an energy-efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs.

CFLs can use up to 75% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer, depending on the product and how it is used. They also generate less heat than incandescent bulbs, which can reduce indoor cooling demand in some situations.


CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, generally about 2 to 10 milligrams, sealed inside the glass tubing. An intact bulb is designed to contain this mercury. If a CFL breaks, however, mercury-containing vapor and powder can be released.


CFL disposal

Do not place CFLs in curbside recycling. EPA recommends using local recycling options for CFLs and other mercury-containing lamps.


Possible recycling options include:

  • Household hazardous-waste facilities or collection events

  • Local government bulb or lamp-recycling programs

  • Participating hardware, home-improvement, or lighting stores

  • Lamp-recycling companies

  • Mail-back lamp-recycling programs

  • Local solid-waste authorities


Some states and local jurisdictions prohibit landfill disposal of mercury-containing lamps or require recycling. Check with your state environmental agency, city, county, waste hauler, or local household hazardous-waste program before disposal.



Fluorescent Tubes

Fluorescent tubes are commonly found in schools, offices, garages, basements, commercial buildings, and older residential fixtures. They may be straight, U-shaped, circular, or compact.


Like CFLs, fluorescent tubes contain mercury and should be handled carefully. When broken, they can release mercury and other materials into the environment.


Fluorescent-tube disposal

Do not place fluorescent tubes in curbside recycling or ordinary household trash unless your local authority specifically allows it.


Take tubes to:

  • A household hazardous-waste facility

  • A lamp recycler

  • A municipal collection event

  • A participating retailer, if it confirms it accepts the tube type and length

  • A commercial universal-waste or hazardous-waste provider for business quantities


Keep tubes intact in their original carton or another protective box. Do not transport loose

fluorescent tubes where they can roll, break, or strike each other.


HID, UV, Neon, and Specialty Lamps

High-intensity discharge lamps include mercury-vapor, metal-halide, and high-pressure sodium lamps. Some UV, germicidal, black-light, neon, projector, aquarium, grow-light, and specialty lamps may also contain mercury or other materials that need special handling.


Treat these lamps as specialty lighting and confirm disposal requirements with the manufacturer, local hazardous-waste facility, lighting supplier, or lamp recycler. HID lamps and some neon lamps may contain mercury and should not be placed in ordinary trash unless local authorities specifically permit it.


LED and Smart Bulbs

LED bulbs, LED tubes, and smart bulbs do not contain mercury. However, they can contain circuit boards, drivers, electronic components, plastic, metal, and solder.


Do not place LEDs in curbside recycling unless your local program specifically accepts them. Recycling is preferable when a local e-waste or lighting recycler accepts LEDs, but disposal rules differ by jurisdiction.


Possible options include:

  • Electronics or e-waste recyclers

  • Lamp or lighting recyclers

  • Household hazardous-waste programs, if accepted

  • Manufacturer take-back or mail-back programs

  • Retailer recycling programs that specifically accept LEDs


Some communities allow LEDs in household trash. Contact your local waste authority to confirm the correct option for your location.


Incandescent and Halogen Bulbs

Incandescent and halogen bulbs do not contain mercury. In many communities, they may be placed in household trash if local rules allow.


Do not put incandescent or halogen bulbs in curbside recycling.

To reduce injury risk:

  • Let the bulb cool completely.

  • Wrap broken glass in thick paper or place it in a rigid container.

  • Follow local trash rules for disposal.


If a CFL or Fluorescent Bulb Breaks

If a CFL, fluorescent tube, or other mercury-containing lamp breaks:

  1. Have people and pets leave the room.

  2. Open windows or exterior doors.

  3. Turn off central forced-air heating or air conditioning if possible.

  4. Allow the room to air out for at least 5 to 10 minutes.

  5. Do not walk through the broken material.

  6. Do not use a vacuum cleaner.

  7. Do not use a broom.


For a small break on a hard surface, EPA guidance generally recommends using stiff paper or cardboard to collect larger pieces, sticky tape for smaller fragments and powder, and damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes for the final cleanup. Place cleanup materials in a sealed container or bag as directed by local authorities.


For bulbs broken on carpeting, upholstery, bedding, or other porous surfaces, or for a large break, contact your local health department, environmental agency, household hazardous-waste program, or a qualified cleanup provider for instructions.


Where to Find Recycling Options

Start with:

  • Your city or county household hazardous-waste program

  • Your state environmental agency

  • Your local solid-waste authority or waste hauler

  • A local lighting or lamp recycler

  • A retailer that confirms it accepts your specific bulb type

  • A manufacturer or mail-back recycling program


Possible mail-back or commercial lamp-recycling services may include Republic Services, TerraCycle, EcoLights, LampRecycling.com, and WM LampTracker. These services may charge fees, have packaging requirements, and accept different lamp types. Verify current requirements directly with each provider before using a service.


For Illinois-specific fluorescent-lamp recycling information, consult the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s fluorescent-lamp guidance and recycler listings.


Sources and Resources


Safety and Legal Notice

Connecting The Dots Project provides this information for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal, electrical, environmental, health, recycling, hazardous-materials, waste-management, or emergency-response advice.

Laws, disposal rules, accepted lamp types, retailer participation, fees, packaging requirements, and recycling options vary by location, bulb type, condition, manufacturer, and receiving facility. Before transporting, recycling, or disposing of any bulb or lamp, contact the local waste authority, household hazardous-waste program, retailer, recycler, manufacturer, or receiving facility for current instructions.


Do not intentionally break, crush, vacuum, sweep, burn, dismantle, or otherwise handle mercury-containing lamps, fluorescent tubes, damaged bulbs, or spilled mercury unless you are trained, authorized, and specifically instructed to do so by a qualified authority or receiving facility.


If a bulb breaks and there is a fire, smoke, unusual fumes, a large spill, a medical concern, or another immediate danger, move people away from the area and call 911 or your local emergency number. For nonemergency cleanup questions, contact your local health department, environmental agency, household hazardous-waste program, or poison center.


Mention of any retailer, company, recycler, program, certification, or organization is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, affiliation, recommendation, or guarantee of acceptance, service quality, safety, or environmental performance.


Connecting The Dots Project does not guarantee that this information is complete, current, accurate, or suitable for every bulb, lamp, or situation. Use of this information is at the reader’s own risk.

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