How to Recycle Compact Fluorescent Mercury Light Bulbs (CFL)

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) contain dangerous mercury and must be recycled. Learn the safety procedure for cleaning up a broken Fluorescent light bulb. Avoid Mercury contamination. Find a local Recycle Center and use it.

What you will need to know

Know your local or state government disposal requirements in your area.

Contact information of your nearest Recycle Center.

Contact information for your Trash Disposal Service.

Protective waterproof gloves

Stiff paper or cardboard

Glass Jar with metal lid or plastic zip or seal bags

What are your local or state laws regarding hazardous waste disposal.

1. Call your local Trash Disposal service and ask what the protocol is for broken or unbroken compact fluorescent light bulb disposal.

2. Contact your nearest Recycle Center for more disposal information.

3. Research the local and state laws regarding hazardous waste disposal.

4. Consider taking burned out bulbs to the Recycle Center for safety reasons. Burned out bulbs can break inside trash bags exposing trash handlers to mercury contamination.

What to do if a compact fluorescent light bulb breaks

1. Clear the room of all thing living (pets and people) immediately.

2. Open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes.

3. Turn off the central air conditioning or heating immediately to avoid spreading airborne mercury.

4. Keep the central air conditioning or heating turned off and window open for at least 15 minutes after clean up is completed.

What not to do if a compact fluorescent light bulb breaks

1. Never use a vacuum cleaner to pick up the mercury. The vacuum will scatter mercury into the air and increase exposure.

2. Never use a broom to clean up mercury for it will break it into smaller droplets and spread them around.

3. Never pour mercury down a drain. It can cause pollution of the septic tank or sewage system.

4. Never wash any item that has come in contact with mercury in the washing machine. It can cause pollution of the sewage system. Items should be disposed of using local hazard waste dumping regulations.

5. Remove shoes that have walked through the mercury field.

How to clean up a broken compact fluorescent light bulb

1. Wear protective waterproof gloves.

2. Scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard

3. Place the scooped pieces into a glass jar with a metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag.

4. Use Duct tape or packing tape to pick up any remaining glass fragments and powder.

5. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe and place in glass jar or plastic zip bag.

*6. Place all debris and cleaning materials in a safe trash container outside.

7. Follow all state and local government requirements for disposal in your area. It is important to know if regular trash disposal is allowed or if you must take it to your local recycle center.

Clean up on Carpeting

1. Wear Playtex gloves.

2. Scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard.

3. Place the scooped pieces into a glass jar with a metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag.

4. Use Duct tape or packing tape to pick up any remaining glass fragments and powder.

5. If vacuuming is necessary after all visible pieces are removed, vacuum just the area where the bulb was broken.

6. Remove the vacuum bag or empty and wipe out the canister placing the bag or wipe in a sealed plastic bag.

7. Place all debris and cleaning materials in a safe trash container outside.

8. Follow all state and local government requirements for disposal in your area. It is important to know if regular trash disposal is allowed or if you must take it to your local recycle center.

Warning: To prevent Mercury contamination, never touch a broken compact fluorescent light bulb with your bare hands. If you think you have come in contact with mercury contact the poison control center for professional help.