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.

RecyclablePaid commercial recycling cost for businesses; household HHW often free or low-feeUpdated Jul 2026

Quick answer

HID lamps (metal halide, high-pressure sodium, mercury vapor) are mercury universal waste lamps and must not go in trash. Take them to Batteries Plus, HHW, or a commercial lamp recycler. Metal halide units can hold far more mercury than a CFL.

Recyclable: Yes
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 Batteries Plus, HHW, or a commercial lamp recycler (not curbside)
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

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Special Instructions

Never trash HID lamps. Mercury content is typically tens of milligrams; some metal halide lamps fall in the 100-1,000 mg range (IMERC). Older HID ballast capacitors can be PCB-suspect.

Environmental Impact

Recycling recovers mercury and metals that would otherwise enter landfill or incinerator ash. These lamps outrank CFLs on mercury per unit.

Local Regulations for High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps

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What you'll get: Drop-off locations, preparation steps, costs, permits required, and environmental impact information specific to your area.

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.

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Recycling centers that accept High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps

RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept high-intensity discharge (hid) lamps. Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.

Cleanlites Recycling | Minnesota

Lakeville, MN

Scrambletown Recycling Center

Silver Springs, FL

Davis Recycling Center

Ocklawaha, FL

Dunnellon Recycling Center

Dunnellon, FL

Salt Springs Recycling Center

Fort McCoy, FL

Shoreline Recycling & Transfer Station

Shoreline, WA

Browse high-intensity discharge (hid) lamps recycling by state

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Ready to Recycle Your High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps?

RecycleFind lists the centers above that accept high-intensity discharge (hid) lamps. Explore more lighting materials you can recycle.

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