Is it time to replace old, dim lighting? You may want to think twice before throwing your old bulbs into the trash. Different types of light bulbs require different disposal methods. Help protect others and the environment from potentially hazardous materials found in light bulbs.

Incandescent Light Bulbs

Contains: Non-toxic substances

Chances are your home is filled with these traditional light bulbs. Since these bulbs are not very energy efficient at all, many people find they are replacing these with newer, energy efficient counterparts like LED’s and CFL’s. Most cities will not take these bulbs in recycling bins, but since they do not contain toxic substances, you can just toss them in the trash. However, it is recommended that you put them back in their original box (although who keeps lightbulb boxes for years?) or just use the box of the new bulbs you are replacing them with. This keeps broken glass from hurting someone else in the trash.

Halogen Light Bulbs

Contains: Halogen gas

These lights are usually used as flood lights. Since these lights contain a halogen gas, many recycling companies won’t take these lightbulbs. However, just like incandescent bulbs, you can just toss these in the trash in either a plastic bag or used box to prevent glass from hurting someone.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Contains: Mercury

These are those little spiral bulbs you have been buying lately to make you feel more energy efficient. As long as they stay intact, CFL’s are perfectly safe. The problem is…tossing a glass bulb into a garbage can is almost certain to break it. A broken bulb has the potential to release harmful mercury into the environment. Mercury in the environment = big problems. Home Depot and Ikea make it easy to recycle used CFL bulbs purchased from their stores. Didn’t buy your bulbs at these stores? Simply input your city and state to http://search.earth911.com/ and find the closest CFL recycling center to you.

If you happen to break a CFL bulb at your home, follow these steps to safely remove it:

1. Wear protective gloves, masks, and clothing to guard yourself against the dust and
2. Collect all of the broken pieces and place them in a sealed container.
3. Take the broken light bulb to your closest recycling site/ hardware store.

*Note-fluorescent bulbs (those long tubes that are probably in your closet, basement workshop, or maybe even kitchen) are treated the same way as CFL’s, as they also contain mercury.

LED Lights

Contains: Nickel, Lead, and some arsenic.

Although these materials sound frightening, as long as these bulbs are disposed of properly they usually do not cause problems. However, rather than tossing them in the trash like you would with an incandescent bulb, these bulbs are up to 95% recyclable. Use that same helpful website above to locate a recycling center near you or take them back to the hardware store you bought them from.

Advice To Make Your Lightbulbs Work For You:

1. Just replacing five of your most commonly used incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient choices such as CFL’s can save you $75 per year. That’s a really nice meal out!
2. Make use of natural light in your home during the day. No sense wasting energy and money having lights turned on when Mother Nature can do the job for free.
3. Use timers and dimmers to control the amount of energy you use in your lightbulbs. Having “smart” lighting that will turn on and off only when needed saves money and energy and prolongs the life of your lightbulbs.
4. LED’s are great choices for outdoor lighting, as they are energy efficient, durable, and perform well in cold temperatures. Even better, use solar-powered lighting if possible outdoors to make the cost run them ideal: free!