Recycling light bulbs

Each type of light bulb has different needs for recycling.  As light bulbs burn out, the most energy- and cost-efficient replacement is LED bulbs.  They use much less energy and will last a long time.  They’re more expensive, but many utilities and governments offer rebates to help with the cost.  Each kind of old light bulb requires a different disposal or recycling method.  The link at the end of this post is an article that expands this information and has a lot of additional information on lighting. 

1. In general, incandescent and halogen lightbulbs cannot be recycled.  They can be safely disposed in your household trash.

 

1. Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) contain mercury.  They must be recycled, intact if at all possible, at a location that will specifically accept CFLs.  Check with your specific recycling location about how to package them and turn them in.  If you break a CFL, it will release toxic mercury.  Here is a link to recommendations for cleaning it up.  https://www.epa.gov/cfl/cleaning-broken-cfl

 

1. Some LED bulbs contain heavy metals; some do not.  When you buy them, try to buy the ones without heavy metals.  I don’t have information on recycling for LED bulbs, as most of them are still in service.

​https://earth911.com/eco-watch/energy/5-green-lighting-tips