Lighting manufacturers, through their trade association he National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), developed lamprecycle.org to provide a one-stop source of information about recycling lamps (the term used in the lighting industry to refer to all types of light bulbs).

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and with other energy-efficient lighting such as linear fluorescent and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps contain a very small amount of mercury, an element essential to achieving energy savings. While these lamps help consumers and businesses cut their lighting energy usage and reduce energy costs, it is important that any product containing mercury be properly managed when it becomes waste to protect public health and the environment.

Easy and convenient options exist for both businesses and consumers to recycle waste mercury-containing lamps. It is estimated that businesses already recycle over 30% of their waste lamps annually and consumers are embracing lamp recycling as they switch to more efficient lighting technologies.

Don't put Fluorescent Lamps in the trash.

Recycle Lamps
Click Here
To find the Lamp-recycling centers near your address.

CFL Basics

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FOR EPA INFORMATION ON CFLS, visit:
www.epa.gov/cfl

Mercury & Fluorescent Lighting Facts

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  • Fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), high intensity discharge lamps (HID) lamps contain a small amount of mercury and are identified with the elemental symbol Hg hg symbol.

  • CFLs average less than 4 milligrams of mercury - about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury - an amount equal to the mercury in 125 or more CFLs.

  • Eleven states and multiple local jurisdictions prohibit the disposal of mercury containing products, including CFLs and other mercury containing lamps, in solid waste.

  • By recycling a mercury containing lamp, you'll ensure that 99.98% of the mercury used in the lamp is recovered.

  • Manufacturer investments in technology over the last two decades have reduced the amount of mercury used in lamps by nearly 95%.

  • The mercury in lamps is essential to their efficient operation; no alternative will achieve comparable energy efficiency.