Fluorescent Bulbs

Do not place any type of bulb - including fluorescent, incandescent, LED, or HID - in your curbside recycling.

Energy-efficient lighting such as fluorescent tube lamps, compact fluorescent lightbulbs, and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps contain a small amount of mercury. All fluorescent bulbs and ballasts should be disposed of properly to protect public health and the environment.

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs - small, twisty bulbs) can be recycled for free at most Lowe's and Home Depot retail locations. Call your local store first to make sure they are participating. Look for a drop box near the main entrance or customer service desk.

Some local BatteriesPlus retail stores will accept and recycle all bulbs and ballasts, including fluorescent tubes. Stores are located in Akron, Canton, Macedonia, Mayfield Heights, and Parma. A small disposal fee will apply. Check with your local BatteriesPlus.

Mailback recycling services for fluorescent bulbs include Green Lights Recycling and LampMaster.

Bulbs from Households

Some city service departments collect fluorescent tube bulbs. Your community may accept and properly dispose of tube bulbs using taxpayer dollars or charge you a small recycling fee. To find collection information for your community, use this website’s geolocation services, or choose your community from the green ‘Select a City’ drop-down at the top of the page and click ‘See Details.’ 

Residents with fluorescent bulbs and ballasts can contact the Solid Waste District for additional disposal options. Matt Walters can be reached at (216) 698-7595 or by email.

Waste from Businesses or Commercial Properties

There are different rules for disposing of hazardous and universal wastes from a business, including fluorescent bulbs and ballasts. Businesses must contract with a licensed company for proper disposal or recycling. See the Business Locations list below for options, or contact our business recycling specialist by phone at (216) 443-3732 or email.

Ballasts

Most scrap metal yards will accept non-PCB-containing ballasts, manufactured after 1979, for recycling. 

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were commonly used in the small capacitors within fluorescent light ballasts. Ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain PCBs. Learn more from the US EPA.

Clean Up of a Broken Fluorescent Bulb
In 2010, the U.S. EPA released guidelines on managing mercury-containing fluorescent lightbulbs that break in the home. Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury sealed in the glass tubing. When broken, some of the mercury is released as mercury vapor. The EPA states the bulb will continue to leak mercury vapor until it is cleaned up and removed from the home.

Incandescent, LED, or Halogen Bulbs
Incandescent lights, LED and halogen bulbs do not contain any dangerous chemicals. When the bulb is burned out, dispose of it in the regular trash.

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Looking to recycle, donate, or dispose of other items? Use the dark blue 'What Do I Do With?' search bar at the top of every page of this website. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.