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TextFluorescent Light Bulbs
What are they?
Why is it important to recycle them?
In the Home
How do I prepare one for
recycling?
Where can I take it?
What can I do if a bulb or
tube breaks?
Are fluorescent bulbs and
tubes recycled?
Where can I get more
information?
In the Workplace
Fluorescent lamps are simply bulbs and tubes that serve as an alternative to traditional (incandescent) bulbs. They are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs.
Why is it important to recycle them?
Fluorescent lamps contain small quantities of mercury. Given the high volume of fluorescent light usage in Fairfax County, properly recycling these bulbs and tubes can prevent mercury from entering our waste management system. Proper disposal of these materials allows for the recovery and recycling of the mercury, glass and aluminum contained in these bulbs and tubes.
In the Home
How do I prepare one for recycling?
Carefully remove the bulb or tube from the lighting appliance. Always remove it by the base, not the glass. Place unbroken bulb or tube in original packaging if available.
- Unbroken compact fluorescent bulbs (which screw into standard lamp sockets) may be taken to the returns desk of any Home Depot Store. Fluorescent tubes are not accepted at Home Depot. See individual store for details.
- Unbroken compact fluorescent bulbs, full size fluorescent bulbs and tubes may be taken to the county's household hazardous waste sites during scheduled dates and times. In addition, they are accepted at some special collection events. See our activity calendar for a list of upcoming dates and times. Call 703-324-5230, TTY 711 for more information.
What can I do if a bulb or tube breaks?
DO NOT vacuum broken fluorescent bulbs or tubes!!
While fluorescent lamps only contain a trace amount of mercury, safety must be taken into consideration when cleaning up one that has broken.
Step 1: Open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes.
Step 2: Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.
- Wear disposable rubber gloves.
- Scoop up fragments with stiff paper or cardboard.
- Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.
- Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
Step 3: Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it.
- Seal fluorescent lamp particles in two plastic bags and place outside with your normal trash collection.
- Wash your hands.
NOTE: The first time you vacuum the area where the lamp was broken, be sure to remove the bag or empty and wipe the canister clean.
Are fluorescent bulbs and tubes recycled?
Yes. Once collected at one of the county’s household hazardous waste facilities or at a special collection event, fluorescent lamps are placed in a special drum for transport to a facility specifically designed to process them. After they have arrived, the bulbs and tubes are crushed under negative pressure so that none of the materials – including the phosphor powder and the mercury vapor – escape into the atmosphere. The glass and aluminum in the lamp are separated and cleaned for recycling. The phosphor powder is separated from the mercury-bearing powder and both are collected for further processing. This mercury-bearing powder will later be processed to remove the mercury for eventual reuse.
Where can I get more information?
See Frequently Asked Questions about Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs and Mercury for additional information.
In the Workplace
Businesses may NOT take fluorescent bulbs or other hazardous materials to the county's household hazardous waste sites. For information about the disposal of commercial hazardous waste, see business hazardous waste. To learn about methods for managing fluorescent light bulbs as a business, see Light Bulb Disposal Options.
BUSINESS TIP: Fairfax County’s Facilities Management Division purchases “green tip” fluorescent lamps containing the least amount of mercury in this product. The FMD Director states that the county "demonstrates its commitment to environmental stewardship by focusing on the appropriate management of mercury in the lamps while supporting ‘green purchasing’ policies. This is a good program for businesses to adopt to prevent pollution in the county.” For additional information about the county fluorescent lamp recycling program, call 703-293-8060, TTY 711.
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