How to Dispose of Light Bulbs
It depends entirely on the type. Old incandescent and halogen bulbs go in household waste — they're just glass and metal. CFLs contain mercury and must go to a collection point. LEDs are electronic waste. Home Depot and Lowe's take CFLs free. Here's how to tell them apart and what to do with each.
Identify the bulb
| Type | How to recognise it | Disposal |
|---|---|---|
| Incandescent | Classic pear shape, visible filament, gets hot | ✅ Household waste — wrap it |
| Halogen | Small, very bright, often in spotlights | ✅ Household waste — wrap it |
| CFL | Curly spiral tube | ⚠️ Contains mercury — drop-off only |
| Fluorescent tube | Long straight or circular tube | ⚠️ Contains mercury — drop-off only |
| LED | Usually has a chunky plastic base, stays cool | E-waste — no mercury, but recyclable |
CFLs and fluorescent tubes — the ones that matter
Compact fluorescents and fluorescent tubes contain a small amount of mercury — typically a few milligrams — which is what makes them efficient and also what makes them hazardous waste. Broken in a landfill or a bin truck, that mercury is released.
Where to take them free:
- Home Depot and Lowe's — collection bins near the entrance at most stores. This is the easiest option for most people.
- County household hazardous waste sites — always accept them, and usually take long tubes that retailers won't.
- Some hardware stores and lighting retailers run their own collection.
Long fluorescent tubes are often refused by retail bins because of their size — household hazardous waste is generally the right destination. Transport them upright and padded; they break easily.
If a CFL breaks
Not a crisis, but worth doing properly:
- Get people and pets out of the room and open a window for 5–10 minutes.
- Don't vacuum. A vacuum disperses mercury vapour and contaminates the machine.
- Scoop up fragments with stiff card, and pick up fine pieces and powder with sticky tape.
- Wipe the area with a damp paper towel.
- Seal everything in a jar or a sealed bag and take it to hazardous waste — including the towels and tape.
The mercury quantity in a single bulb is small and the health risk from one breakage is low, but ventilating and not vacuuming are the two steps genuinely worth getting right.
LEDs
LEDs contain no mercury, which makes them the least problematic type. They do contain electronic components, and in some jurisdictions they're classified as e-waste rather than general rubbish.
Practically: many areas accept them in household waste, but electronics recycling is better where it's convenient. Retailers that take CFLs will usually take LEDs too. They also last long enough that most households only face this occasionally.
Incandescent and halogen
Just glass, metal and a filament — no hazardous content. They go in household waste in every US state.
Wrap them first in newspaper or the box the replacement came in. Loose bulbs break in the bin and in the truck, and broken glass is a genuine hazard for collection crews.
They are not recyclable in kerbside glass collection. Bulb glass has a different composition from bottle glass and contaminates the batch — this is one of the more common recycling mistakes.
Related items
- UV and grow lights — usually fluorescent, so treat as mercury-containing
- Smart bulbs — LEDs with radio components; e-waste
- String and fairy lights — recyclable as scrap copper wire; some retailers run seasonal collections
- Halogen work lamps — the fitting is e-waste or scrap metal, the bulb is household waste
Common questions
Can I put light bulbs in the recycling bin?
No. Bulb glass has a different melting point and composition from container glass and contaminates the recycling stream. Incandescents go in general waste; CFLs and tubes go to hazardous waste.
Where can I recycle CFL bulbs near me?
Home Depot and Lowe's both have collection bins at most stores, free. Your county household hazardous waste site also accepts them, including long tubes.
Is it illegal to throw away CFL bulbs?
Several states classify them as hazardous waste and prohibit it. Enforcement against households is rare, but free drop-off is widely available and takes no more effort than the bin.
Do LED bulbs need special disposal?
No mercury, so they're much less problematic. Some jurisdictions treat them as e-waste. Recycling is preferable but general waste is acceptable in most areas.
What about the packaging?
Cardboard sleeves recycle normally. Keep one to wrap the old bulb in — it's the easiest way to avoid broken glass in the bin.
Related
State regulations on mercury-containing lamps vary. Retailer collection programmes and what they accept change. Confirm before travelling. This is general guidance — for a significant mercury spill, contact your local hazardous waste service. Last verified August 2026.