How to Recycle CFL Bulbs
Compact fluorescent lamps. Federal universal waste lamps when hazardous (40 CFR 273). Average mercury content about 4 mg (EPA).
Quick answer
CFLs hold about 4 mg of mercury and must not go in trash or curbside. Take intact bulbs to Home Depot, Lowe's, Batteries Plus, IKEA, or household hazardous waste. If one breaks, air the room 5-10 minutes (EPA), scoop with stiff paper, and seal the debris.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Typical value
- No consumer scrap payout; drop-off is usually free
- Donate / take-back
- Available
- 1Keep bulbs unbroken in original packaging or a rigid box
- 2Drop off at Home Depot or Lowe's CFL recycling (intact bulbs)
- 3Batteries Plus and many IKEA stores also take CFLs
- 4If broken, follow EPA cleanup: ventilate 5-10 minutes, no vacuum, seal debris, then ask the drop-off whether broken CFLs are accepted
- Home Depot (free CFL recycling, intact bulbs)
- Lowe's
- Batteries Plus
- IKEA store recycling
- County HHW facilities
Never put CFLs in household trash or curbside recycling. California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington ban mercury lamps from landfills (EPA). Households sit outside full RCRA generator rules, but state and local bans still apply.
Recycling recovers mercury and glass instead of sending vapor and phosphor to landfill or incinerator ash. EPA cites roughly 4 mg mercury per average CFL.
Accepted
- Spiral and twist CFLs
- Globe, flood, and candelabra CFLs
- 3-way CFLs
Not Accepted
- Broken CFLs at retailers that only take intact bulbs (use HHW or a lamp recycler)
- Linear fluorescent tubes (see fluorescent tubes)
Estimated value: No consumer scrap payout; drop-off is usually free
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
- Mercury vapor (~4 mg average)
- Phosphor coating
- Electronic ballast
What if I break a CFL?
Open windows for 5-10 minutes per EPA, leave the room, then scoop glass and powder with stiff paper or cardboard. Do not vacuum. Put debris in a sealed container and take it to HHW or a lamp recycler that accepts broken lamps.
Are CFLs universal waste?
When they are hazardous waste, spent mercury lamps can be managed as universal waste under 40 CFR 273. That mainly cuts the paperwork for businesses; households should still recycle them and obey state landfill bans.
How much mercury is in a CFL?
EPA puts the average near 4 mg. IMERC survey data summarized by NEWMOA found 96% of CFLs sold contain 10 mg or less.
- How to recycle LED Bulbs
- How to recycle Fluorescent Tubes
- How to recycle Halogen Bulbs
- How to recycle Incandescent Bulbs
- How to recycle High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps
- How to recycle Neon and Argon Lights
- How to recycle Holiday and String Lights
- How to recycle LED Strip Lights
- How to recycle Emergency and Exit Lighting
Recycling centers that accept CFL Bulbs
RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept cfl bulbs. Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.