Always Dispose of Your CFL Properly
While CFLs for your home are not legally considered hazardous waste
according to federal solid waste rules, it is still best for the environment to
dispose of your CFL properly upon burnout. Only large commercial users of
tubular fluorescent lamps are required to recycle. If recycling is not an
option in your area (see below on how to find out), place the CFL in a
sealed plastic bag and dispose the same way you would batteries, oil-based
paint and motor oil at your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Collection Site. If your local HHW Collection Site cannot accept CFLs
(check Earth911.org to find out), seal the CFL in a plastic bag and place
with your regular trash.
Safe cleanup precautions: If a CFL breaks in your home, open nearby windows to disperse any vapor that may
escape, carefully sweep up the fragments (do not use your hands) and wipe the area with a disposable paper towel to
remove all glass fragments. Do not use a vacuum. Place all fragments in a sealed plastic bag and follow disposal
instructions above.
What are the Health Risks of Mercury and
How do CFLs Fit In?
Mercury is an essential ingredient for most energy -
efficient lamps. The amount of mercury in a CFL’s
glass tubing is small, about 4mg. However, every
product containing mercury should be handled with
care. Exposure to mercury, a toxic metal, can affect
our brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver, causing
symptoms such as trembling hands, memory loss,
and difficulty moving.
As energy -efficient lighting becomes more popular, it
is important that we dispose of the products safely
and responsibly. Mercury is released into our
environment when products with mercury are broken,
disposed of improperly, or incinerated. If you break a
CFL, clean it up safely. And always dispose of it
properly to keep CFLs working for the environment.
Mercury Emissions by Light Source
Over 5-Year Life
10.0
4.0
2.4
0
2
4
6
8
10
12