Are CFL Bulbs Part of My Curbside Recycling Program?

After the passing of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, old incandescent light bulbs began phasing out, making way for the new compact fluorescent lights.

CFLs are more efficient and much smarter to use. They use a lot less energy, resulting in lower energy bills, and last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs. If every American switched to CFLs, it could collectively save consumers up to $13 million on yearly energy bills (Live Science).

These new CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury. It’s only about 1/100 of the quantity contained in old thermometers, but it still means these bulbs cannot be thrown in the garbage. They are also not accepted in your curbside recycling program. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. The hazardous mercury pollutes the environment and your water.

While CFL bulbs are not part of our recycling program, there are other options.  Many local home improvement stores including, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Menards and even IKEA offer CFL bulb recycling programs. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled and it prevents mercury from leaking into the environment (Lamp Recycle).

If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a CFL bulb, in one year it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes. That would prevent the release of greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of about 800,000 cars (Energy Star). Embrace the switch to CFL bulbs; you’ll save money and earth’s resources!