Posted December 8, 2009

Q: Dear Charlie,

What is the correct method to dispose of CFL light bulbs that contain mercury?

Daemon

A:
Dear Daemon,

Switching to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) is an excellent choice to make when it comes to energy savings. However, CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, a highly toxic substance, and are not allowed in the garbage. Here are a few options for recycling your CFL tubes and bulbs:

Residential Customers

In Shoreline, CleanScapes offers curbside pickup free of charge*. Please follow these guidelines for safe handling:

• Place bulbs in original packaging or wrap in newspaper and secure with tape.
• Put wrapped bulbs in a plastic bag tied closed (or a zip-lock bag).
• Set on top of recycling cart (not inside) on your recycle day.
• Tubes must be less than 4 feet long.

* Limit 2 tubes/bulbs per collection and 10 per year.

Commercial Customers

Fluorescent tubes and bulbs can be collected from businesses and apartment complexes when requested by the bill payer or account contact. To request this service, call CleanScapes at 763-4444. Cost is $20.00 for the first tube/bulb and $2.00 for each additional. Please follow the guidelines listed above for safe handling.

Other Recycling Options

The Take It Back Network offers convenient, cost-effective and environmentally sound recycling options. A list of TIBN recyclers who accept CFLs can be found here.

Drop off up to 10 bulbs per day at no cost at your local Household Hazardous Waste Facility. For a list of all locations and hours of operation please call the Household Hazards Line at 206.296.4692.

The City of Shoreline sponsors periodic residential recycling collection events. Restrictions may apply and quantities accepted may be limited, please call to confirm.

Recycle where you shop! Contact your local home improvement retailer, hardware store or pharmacy to see if they accept CFL tubes and bulbs for recycling.

Mercury in CFLs

CFL bulbs contain approximately 4 milligrams of mercury – about the amount that would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen. This small but critical amount of mercury is what enables CFLs to operate up to 75% more efficiently than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

Mercury is safely sealed within the bulb’s glass coating while intact and in use. Environmental contamination occurs when the bulbs break and mercury is released. Precipitation washes mercury into surrounding bodies of water where it is absorbed by naturally occurring bacteria and aquatic organisms. Mercury travels up the food chain as predatory fish consume contaminated smaller fish. Species at each successive level of the food chain consume higher concentrations of mercury because they are unable to eliminate toxins faster than they are consumed.

Humans are exposed to mercury almost entirely by eating contaminated fish and wildlife. Those most at risk are pregnant women and small children. Exposure to mercury can cause damage to the central nervous system and contribute to developmental disorders in children.

Incandescent vs. CFLs

Despite concerns over mercury content and contamination issues, policy makers, manufacturers, and scientists are in agreement over the greater environmental and economic benefits of CFLs. When recycled properly, nearly every component of a flourescent bulb can be separated and reused – even the mercury.

According to the EPA, electricity from coal-fired power plants is the main source of U.S. mercury emissions. By using CFL bulbs in place of incandescents, we can decrease the demand for coal-fired power and in doing so, significantly reduce the amount of mercury released into the environment.

More Q + A for Reducing Your Garbage

Charlie, the son of CleanScapes' founder, is here to answer all your questions about what to recycle and compost and how to responsibly get rid of scary things like computers or batteries. Read what others have asked below, and if you have a question, Ask Charlie!