Light bulbs are a necessary part of our daily lives. Though new technology means light bulbs are lasting longer, we all occasionally hear that familiar pop when flipping the switch. And with all the different types of bulbs out there now, it can be confusing to know what to do with them when they reach the end of their useful life. Here’s a quick and easy guide that should help.
Incandescent
Incandescent are those old-school bulbs that are the traditional light bulb shape. They burn out pretty quickly compared to other types of bulbs and, unfortunately, they can’t be recycled. They’re also the least energy efficient and the least expensive of light bulbs. The good news is, they can be thrown away with your regular trash. However, you should use caution with them to avoid breakage or safety issues. Read about disposing of broken glass here.
If you want to get creative, you can try out some arts and crafts with old light bulbs, such as making them into ornaments. There are plenty of ideas to be found online.
LEDs
LEDs are a brighter, longer-lasting alternative to incandescent bulbs. There are some options for recycling them, but they should not be put in with your curbside or drop-off recycling. For recycling options, check with your municipality for special collection events or with local retailers. Many retailers who sell these bulbs have recycling or exchange programs. There are also online options for recycling this type of bulb. If all else fails, it is allowable to put these in with your regular trash. However, they should be packaged in a way to prevent them from breaking and posing a safety hazard.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs are typically used for automobile headlights and work lights. They are brighter than traditional bulbs, but also produce a lot of heat and are high energy consumers. Halogen bulbs are recyclable, but recycling options can be difficult to find, and they should not be put in curbside collection or recycling drop-offs. It is acceptable to put these bulbs in with your regular trash, but be sure to package them appropriately for safety.
Fluorescent Tubes
Those tubes that are used in many office buildings and other businesses contain mercury, so they shouldn’t be thrown in with your regular trash. They can, however, be disposed of in a special hazardous waste collection. (Universal waste regulations may apply to disposal by businesses. Find more information here.) Recycling options are sometimes difficult to find, but may be available at special collection events or at certain retailers.
CFLs
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are those funny shaped ones with the swirls or loops. These bulbs use much less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. However, they do contain mercury, which means you should not put them in with your regular trash. (Universal waste regulations may apply to disposal by businesses. Find more information here.) You can recycle them, but don’t put them in with your curbside or drop-off recycling. You’ll need to find a special waste collection event in your area or take them to a local retailer. Many DIY and hardware stores offer CFL recycling.
If you break a CFL, you shouldn’t recycle it. Instead, follow these instructions on the US EPA’s website.
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