Safe Use and Proper Disposal of CFLs

Over its' lifetime, mercury emission caused by a CFL is lower than an incandescent bulb. This is because the largest source of mercury emissions in the U.S. comes from coal-fired power plants that produce electricity, and an incandescent bulb uses up to four times as much electricity than a CFL.

Safely handling CFLs and properly disposing of used or broken ones will ensure that the mercury contained in them will not be released into the environment.

Safe handling

• Store new, unused CFLs in the store packaging or a box to prevent breakage before use.
• Always screw and unscrew the bulb from the base (not the glass).
• Never forcefully twist the CFL into a light socket.

Cleaning up a broken CFL

The EPA recommends the following steps to clean up a broken CFL or fluorescent bulb:

1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
   • If possible, close the door(s) that lead into the room.
2. Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag.
   • Use disposable rubber gloves, if available. Do not use bare hands.
   • Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the plastic bag.
   • Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
3. Place all cleanup materials in a second sealed plastic bag.
   • Place the first bag in a second sealed plastic bag and put it in the outdoor trash container or in another outdoor protected area for the next normal trash disposal.
4. Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.

If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a rug or carpet:

• First, remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner, following the steps above. Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
• If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area, remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag or vacuum debris in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

The EPA is continually reviewing its clean-up and disposal recommendations for CFLs.

View EPA recommendations for mercury disposal and spill clean up (epa.gov)

Disposal of used CFLs

If possible, save burned-out CFLs and other fluorescent lights for the household hazardous waste pick-up in your area or drop them off at an approved recycler.

• Home Depot locations statewide and select Wal-Mart stores will recycle used CFLs for free, regardless of where they were purchased.
• Albuquerque and Bernalillo County residents can take used CFLs to:

Rinchem Company, Inc
6133 Edith Blvd. NE
Open to Public: M-W-F 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM; Sat. 8 AM - 3 PM
(505) 345-1650

or

Albuquerque Lighting Company
2100 Osuna Rd. NE
(505) 345-2727

• For other areas in New Mexico, please check with the New Mexico Environment Department. If your area is not listed, please contact your local Solid Waste Agency.

View a list of household drop off locations for CFLs (nmenv.state.nm.us)

If there are no CFL recycling facilities in your area, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put it into the outside trash, or other protected outside location, for the next normal trash collection. CFLs should not be disposed of in an incinerator.

More information

More information about CFLs and Mercury (.pdf - energystar.gov)
The New Mexico Environment Department talks about CFLs (nmenv.state.nm.us)

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