Friday, April 15, 2011

Recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs

We have all slowly been converting our traditional incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), but what do we do when it's time to replace them?



Because CFLs contain mercury, they must be recycled. Not only is it dangerous for the environment if mercury is released, it is illegal to throw these bulbs in the trash, intact or otherwise.

Many places that sell CFLs also accept them for recycling, so be sure to check with retailers like hardware stores. Hamline Hardware Hank & Rental (755 North Snelling Avenue) (accepts all CFLs for recycling for a $1.00 fee ($2.00 if the light bulb is over 4 feet long). Menards on University Avenue and Creative Lighting will also take CFLs for free!

Here are the kinds of light bulbs that require recycling:
  • Fluorescent bulbs of all shapes and sizes (CFLs, tubes, circles, U-shaped, bug "zappers", tanning lamps and black lights)
  • High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, typically used for exterior lighting (metal halide, mercury vapor and high-pressure sodium)
  • Neon lights
Posted by Jenny Song at 10:36 AM

1 comment:

  1. cfl bulbsOctober 28, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    Thanks for sharing information about Recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs. good blog thanks for posting here. kinds of light bulbs that require recycling as Fluorescent bulbs of all shapes and sizes, High-intensity discharge and neon lights.

    ReplyDelete

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