Homeowners

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Using energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs makes good sense—you save money on electric bills and help protect the environment. Often called a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), fluorescent bulbs include U-tube and circline fluorescent tubes, bug zappers, tanning bulbs, black lights, germicidal bulbs, high output bulbs, and cold-cathode fluorescent bulbs.

An ENERGY STAR qualified CFL produces the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb, but uses about 75 percent less energy and lasts up to 10 times longer. Using a CFL bulb saves an average of $30 in electricity costs over its lifetime and will prevent the release of more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

Why are they a Problem?
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. 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.

To Dispose of Fluorescent Light Bulbs:

1. Check with local retailers. Many local retailers such as Home Depot, Menards, and Ikea stores offer free recycling of unbroken CFLs and hardware stores offer easy and convenient recycling options to households for CFL bulbs.
2. Bring them to a Hennepin County Drop-off Facility. Hennepin County accepts all types of fluorescent, high intensity discharge, neon bulbs and ballasts free of charge at the county drop-off facilities. There is a limit of 25 bulbs per household per year.
3. Check out the County's A to Z Guide for more disposal information.

Broken Fluorescent Light Bulbs
If you break more than two fluorescent bulbs or if you are unsure what to do, call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798 any time, day or night. Otherwise you can cleanup the broken bulb yourself provided you follow the methods outlined in the Maine Compact Fluorescent Lamp Breakage Study Report or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's article on Cleaning Up a Broken CFL.

Additional Resources
Fluorescent Light Bulb Factsheet
RethinkRecycling
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency