Fluorescent Light Bulb Disposal

Fluorescent Light Bulbs are Dangerous

Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury vapor that is used to produce the light. Light bulbs containing mercury can be dangerous to your health and the environment, and should not be thrown in the trash.

How to Properly Dispose of Fluorescent Bulbs

The City of Albuquerque Solid Waste Management Department recommends that fluorescent bulbs be disposed of the following ways:

• Fluorescent bulbs from households can be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.
• Fluorescent Bulbs from businesses, non-profits, etc. are handled different from household waste. Contact the State of New Mexico Hazardous Waste Bureau for more information.

More information:

• New Mexico Environment Department – Solid Waste Bureau
• New Mexico Environment Department – Hazardous Waste Bureau
• US EPA: Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

How Should I Clean-Up a Broken Fluorescent Bulb?

The following information is recommended by Energy Star, a US Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy Program.

More Information on Compact Fluorescent Lights

Because compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the following clean-up and disposal guideline:

Before Clean-up: Ventilate the Room

• Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
• Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-up Steps for Hard Surfaces

• Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
• Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
• Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug

• Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
• If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
• Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding, etc.

• If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be discarded. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
• You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you happened to be wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
• If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

Disposal of Clean-Up Materials

• Immediately place all cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
• Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Ventilate the Room During and After Vacuuming

• The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
• Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.