Household recycling
How to Recycle Fluorescent Bulbs
Compact fluorescent bulbs and linear tubes around the home. See the hazardous waste guide for the full breakage procedure and state landfill bans.
Special handlingLast reviewed July 28, 2026
Quick answer
Mercury inside, so never the trash or the recycling bin, and six states ban them from landfill outright. Your county household hazardous waste program is the dependable route; ring a hardware store before relying on one, since bin programs vary by location and by bulb type. If one breaks, clear the room and air it out first, then pick up with card and tape rather than a vacuum.
- Recycling route
- Special handling
How to Prepare
- 1Handle tubes by the ends and avoid flexing them
- 2Keep bulbs in a replacement sleeve or box until you can drop them off
- 3Take them to county household hazardous waste, which is the route that reliably works
- 4