How to Recycle Fluorescent Tubes
Linear, U-bent, and circular fluorescent lamps. Universal waste lamps under 40 CFR 273 when hazardous. Typical 4-ft tubes average about 13 mg mercury (IMERC), with wide range by age and output.
Quick answer
Linear fluorescent tubes contain mercury and must not go in trash or curbside. Keep them sleeved and unbroken. Batteries Plus takes many tube types; Home Depot is stronger on CFLs than long tubes. Use HHW or a commercial lamp recycler for bulk or broken tubes. Pre-1979 magnetic T12 ballasts may hold PCBs.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Typical value
- Household drop-off is typically free; commercial service is a paid disposal cost
- Donate / take-back
- Available
- 1Leave tubes in cardboard sleeves or original cartons
- 2Do not tape bundles so tightly that glass crushes
- 3Confirm the drop-off takes tubes (Batteries Plus lists straight, U-bend, and circular)
- 4Remove ballasts separately; assume unlabeled pre-1979 magnetic T12 ballasts may contain PCBs
- 5Commercial generators document quantities and use a permitted lamp recycler
- Batteries Plus
- County HHW and lamp recyclers
- Electrical supply houses
- Commercial lamp recyclers (Veolia, Clean Harbors, and regional firms)
Never trash fluorescent tubes. Six states ban mercury lamps from landfills (CA, ME, MA, NH, VT, WA). Ballasts are not federal universal waste lamps; Maine, Maryland, and Vermont add ballasts at the state level. PCB ballasts follow 40 CFR 761, not ordinary scrap metal rules.
Recycling recovers mercury, glass, aluminum end caps, and phosphor. Older high-output tubes can hold far more mercury than modern low-mercury designs.
Accepted
- T12, T8, and T5 linear tubes
- U-bent and circular fluorescents
- High-output fluorescent tubes
Not Accepted
- Broken tubes at retailers that refuse them (use HHW/lamp recycler)
- PCB-suspect ballasts mixed into scrap steel without disclosure
Estimated value: Household drop-off is typically free; commercial service is a paid disposal cost
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
- Mercury (often 5-15 mg; older/high-output tubes up to about 70 mg)
- Phosphor powder
- Possible PCBs in pre-1979 magnetic T12 ballasts
Will Home Depot take my 4-foot tubes?
Home Depot emphasizes intact CFL recycling. Long tubes are less consistently accepted in-store. Call the store or use Batteries Plus / HHW.
Which ballasts have PCBs?
Only magnetic T12 ballasts made before July 1, 1979 may contain PCBs. T8/T5 electronic ballasts do not. Ballasts from 1979-1998 without a No PCBs label should be treated as PCB-suspect.
Are broken tubes still universal waste?
Federally, broken lamps can still be managed as universal waste, but many retailers refuse them and some states are stricter. Use HHW or a lamp recycler.
- How to recycle LED Bulbs
- How to recycle CFL Bulbs
- 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 Fluorescent Tubes
RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept fluorescent tubes. Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.