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How to Recycle High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps
High-intensity discharge lamps named in 40 CFR 273.9: metal halide, mercury vapor, high-pressure sodium, and related types.
Check local acceptancePaid commercial recycling cost for businesses; household HHW often free or low-feeLast reviewed August 28, 2026
Quick answer
HID lamps (metal halide, high-pressure sodium, and mercury vapor) can contain mercury. Keep them out of curbside recycling and use a local recycling, household hazardous-waste, or commercial-lamp route where available; state and local rules may require it. Keep the lamp intact and confirm the destination accepts this type. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Paid commercial recycling cost for businesses; household HHW often free or low-fee
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Leave the outer jacket intact
- 2Store in original packaging or a sturdy box
- 3Use a local household hazardous-waste or commercial lamp recycler (not curbside), after confirming it accepts HID lamps
- 4For parking-lot or warehouse changeouts, hire a lamp recycler and keep generation records
Where to Recycle
- Batteries Plus
- HHW facilities
- Commercial lamp recyclers
- Electrical contractors
Nothing near you takes HID and halogen lamps?TerraCycle’s Light Bulbs Zero Waste Box is a paid mail-in option, prepaid label included. Sponsored.
See PricingSpecial Instructions
Never put HID lamps in curbside recycling. EPA recommends recycling mercury-containing lamps and directs households to follow state and local disposal requirements. Older HID ballast capacitors can be PCB-suspect. Identify the lamp from its label or packaging and give the collection operator its type, quantity, and whether any are broken. Confirm it accepts HID lamps rather than assuming a CFL bin will. Business loads may need a commercial lamp service instead of household HHW.
Environmental Impact
Recycling recovers mercury and metals that would otherwise enter landfill or incinerator ash. These lamps outrank CFLs on mercury per unit.
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Metal halide
- High-pressure sodium
- Mercury vapor
- Ceramic metal halide
- Automotive HID headlamps (check the recycler)
Not Accepted
- Broken lamps with a damaged outer jacket (use hazmat/lamp recycler protocols)
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: Paid commercial recycling cost for businesses; household HHW often free or low-fee
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
Hazardous Components
- Mercury (often 10-100+ mg; metal halide can be higher)
- Pressurized arc tube
- Possible PCB capacitors in older HID ballasts
FAQs
Is an HID the same as a CFL?
Both can be mercury universal waste lamps, but HID types are higher-output and usually hold more mercury per lamp than a household CFL.
Where can a homeowner take one HID floodlight?
Batteries Plus or county HHW. Big-box CFL bins are not a reliable HID path.
How do I dispose of a sodium-vapor lamp?
Keep the lamp intact and ask a lamp recycler or local hazardous-waste program about the exact type shown on its label. High-pressure sodium lamps can contain mercury; low-pressure sodium lamps have different contents and still need a type-specific acceptance check. Do not put either in curbside glass recycling or break it to separate the materials.
Related recycling guides
Recycle high-intensity discharge (hid) lamps
Search recycling centers by city or ZIP, or explore more lighting materials.