Gardening Help

We’ve all been there: the light goes out, we unscrew the bulb from the light fixture (after we’ve accidentally burned our fingers because we forgot to let it cool) and then we toss it into the trash without thinking twice. Unfortunately, the modern light bulbs of today, particularly the compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, contain small amounts of mercury that gets released into the environment when we throw them into the garbage (and they subsequently break open from being crushed under the weight of other garbage). So, what do you do with broken CFL light bulbs and other spent light bulbs when your light fixtures go dark?

How Much Mercury?

It is worth noting that the actual mercury content of the CFL bulb is relatively low: less than 4 milligrams, which is just enough to cover the tip of a pen. Despite this, as more people turn to CFL bulbs and eventually throw them out when they get spent, this mercury builds up.

What Should I Do With Used CFL Bulbs and Other Light Bulbs?

Currently, there are a few retail locations at which you can drop off your used CFL light bulbs. This includes Home Depot, which started a CFL recycling program for used CFL bulbs. Home Depot will take any brand of CFL, from any type of indoor or outdoor lighting fixtures, so you can be confident in recycling your spent bulbs at this particular location. Other stores that accept used CFL bulbs for recycling include Orchard Supply Hardware stores in California, Ace Hardware, TrueValue, Menards and Aubuchon Hardware as well as IKEA furniture stores.

Currently, some states offer free collection programs, though you will need to check with your local government for exact information on where to recycle your used CFL bulbs.

For other types of used or broken light bulbs such as incandescent or halogen, check with your local government for more information on who will take and recycle your specific type.

What if My Light Bulb is Broken?

If your light bulbs broke while still in the lamps or other light fixtures, you’ll need to take precautions when cleaning them up. This is especially true of CFL bulbs, which as noted earlier, contain small amounts of mercury. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up a broken CFL bulb, but rather use tape to pick up the pieces and dust. Dispose of the filled tape in a sealed plastic or glass container, then use a damp, disposable cloth to blot, not rub, the area to remove any remaining mercury.

To remove the base of the broken bulb from the light fixture socket, you can use a potato! Slice the potato in half and insert the sliced half directly onto the broken portion. Then, twist gently to remove. You should remove the broken portion from the socket and then re-clean the surrounding area to ensure no further contamination has occurred. This method can also be used for other types of light bulbs, including traditional incandescent bulbs, halogen and more. 

After cleaning up broken fragments, find stylish new lighting fixtures that will brighten up any room in your home!

Similar Posts:

• Installing Recessed Lighting
• Nursery Rooms: Lighting Tips and Tricks
• Foyer Lighting Tips and Tricks
• The Bottom Of The Hole
• Lighting Trends: Hanging Lanterns in the Kitchen