Recycling fluorescent light bulbs & tubes

In Vermont, it is illegal to dispose of mercury-containing light bulbs in the trash. This includes full-size and compact fluorescent light bulbs, standard, u-shaped and circular tubes, UV radiation tubes, and high-intensity discharge bulbs such as mercury-vapor, metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps (the large screw-in type).

WHY?

Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal. When lamps are improperly disposed of, mercury can be released into the environment in the form of an invisible vapor or a bead. While the amount of mercury in these lamps is not believed to be enough to cause illness, it is best to avoid any exposure to mercury and prevent its release into the environment where it can damage our lakes and streams and poison fish and wildlife. In a typical compact-fluorescent bulb, there is only enough mercury to fill the letter “o” in the word “GOD” on a dime.

BROKEN BULBS

If a bulb breaks, follow these clean-up tips for cleaning up a broken fluorescent bulb. Bring the bulb and the remaining debris (contained in a sealed plastic bag) to one of the CSWD facilities listed below under DISPOSAL (Chittenden County businesses and residents only). Customers are limited to 5 broken bulbs per day at DOCs. Any more than that should be brought directly to the Environmental Depot.

If you live outside of Chittenden County, contact your solid waste department or municipality, or visit the State of Vermont’s Mercury Education and Reduction Campaign website or call: 1-800-974-9559 or 802-241-3888.

DISPOSAL

Old mercury-containing light bulbs are accepted from Chittenden County businesses and residents only at all CSWD Drop-Off Centers (DOCs), the Environmental Depot, and the CSWD Rover when it comes to your town.

Fees: There is no charge for the first 100 bulbs per year from residents or businesses of Chittenden County. Customers with more than 100 bulbs should take their bulbs directly to the Environmental Depot and will be charged for the amount of bulbs that exceeds 100.

Handling: Please place bulbs in their original box (if possible) or otherwise secure them to prevent breakage during storage and transport. The DOCs and the Depot will furnish 4′ and 8′ boxes to customers with large quantities of bulbs upon request. Please do not tape bulbs together.

Vermont residents may bring up to six fluorescent and other mercury-containing bulbs per visit to participating True Value Hardware stores. In addition, Efficiency Vermont sponsors over 100 retail collection sites throughout the state. Click here to see a list with all the locations.

For additional questions please call the CSWD hotline at 872-8111.