Housekeeping · Bulb disposal

Recycle fluorescent bulbs without breaking them

Identify mercury-containing bulbs, protect intact tubes and use local collection programs rather than ordinary trash.

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Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of mercury. The US EPA recommends appropriate local recycling rather than placing them in normal trash. Rules differ by region; a broken bulb needs separate cleanup precautions.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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Identify whether the spent lamp is a fluorescent tube, compact fluorescent lamp or LED from its markings.
Switch off power and allow the lamp to cool before handling it according to the fixture instructions.
Keep intact mercury-containing bulbs protected in their original packaging or another rigid protective container.
Check your municipality or approved collection center for accepted lamp types and drop-off rules.
Transport and dispose of lamps as locally required; do not automatically mix them with ordinary trash or mixed recyclables.
If a bulb breaks, keep people and pets away and follow official broken-fluorescent-lamp guidance. Do not immediately vacuum the fragments.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

Further reading

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