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Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Includes: CFLs, Compact Fluorescent Bulbs, Fluorescent Circles, Fluorescent Lamps, Fluorescent Tubes, HID Bulbs, High Intensity Discharge Bulbs, U-Shaped Fluorescent Lights

Rethink & Reduce Tips

Benefits of using fluorescent light bulbs

• A compact fluorescent bulb producing the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb uses about 75 percent less energy and lasts up to 10 times longer.
• Using a compact fluorescent bulb saves an average of $30 in electricity costs over its lifetime and prevents the release of more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reducing your energy consumption with fluorescent lighting results in less mercury pollution, which is caused by using fossil fuels to produce electricity.

More Get Rid Of It Tips

• Many retailers, including Home Depot, Ikea, and Lowe's, offer free recycling for all brands of unbroken CFLs.
• Other local retailers and hardware stores accept other sizes and shapes of fluorescent bulbs for recycling for a fee. Call first.
• See   Xcel Energy's residential lamp program for stores near you and to print coupons for discounts on disposal fees.

Additional Resources

• Fluorescent Light Bulb Factsheet
• Mercury prohibition - MN State Statute 115A.932
• RethinkRecycling.com Fluorescent Lamp Recycling

Accepted At These Hennepin County Facilities. Proof of residency required (MN drivers license or current utility bill).

• Bloomington Drop-off Facility
• Brooklyn Park Drop-off Facility

Item Accepted As: Household Hazardous Waste

No Fee

Item limit: 25 bulbs per household per 12 month period.

Because they contain mercury, fluorescent bulbs of all shapes and sizes must be recycled to avoid polluting the environment and posing a health threat.  Even a small amount of mercury released into the environment is a concern. 

Fluorescent light bulbs of all shapes and sizes, including circles, compact fluorescent bulbs, tubes and u-shaped, as well as high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs are all accepted as Household Hazardous Waste.

In Minnesota it is illegal to place any mercury-containing products or device in the trash or wastewater disposal system.  All items containing mercury, including fluorescent light bulbs, must be recycled. 

Broken bulbs

Broken bulbs are also accepted.

If your break a fluorescent bulb, follow the instruction in the MPCA factsheet, Cleaning Up Spilled Mercury in the Home. Bring the broken fluorescent bulb and all clean up materials to a drop-off facility in a sealed plastic bag.

Transport

Remove bulbs and ballasts from fixture (the metal and ballasts are accepted separately). Place bulbs in original packaging to prevent breakage. If you no longer have the original packaging, cushion bulbs using blankets, towels or newspaper. Please do not tape bulbs together.

Related items

Also see: Ballasts, Mercury, Light Bulbs (Halogen, Incandescent, LED).