Where to Recycle Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Compact fluorescent light bulbs should be recycled so the mercury, metal and glass can be reclaimed for use in future products. Because of the small amount of mercury they contain, used CFLs are considered household hazardous waste. The best way to recycle CFLs is to save them and take them to a household hazardous waste collection facility, a retailer that accepts CFLs or a collection event accepting used CFLs along with materials such as paint, pesticides and other household chemicals.
Recycling options
Portland Metro Area
Metro Central Station
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
6161 NW 61st Ave., Portland
Metro South Station
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
2001 Washington St., Oregon City
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Fee: There is no fee to drop off household hazardous waste. Businesses that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste can enroll in Metro's Conditionally Exempt Generator program.
Information: Call Metro Recycling Information at 503.234.3000, Monday-Saturday, 8:30-5:00 (TDD: 503.797.1804), or visit Metro's website.
Metro also offers household hazardous waste collection events that may accept CFLs for recycling.
Statewide
For details about household hazardous waste collection events in Oregon, call:
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Household Hazardous Waste Program
503.229.5913
Visit DEQ online for information about:
Locally sponsored collection programs and collection events.
Retailers
IKEA
IKEA stores offer a Free Take Back program. Each IKEA store accepts used CFLs and provides free disposal and recycling.
The Home Depot
At each The Home Depot store, customers can bring any expired, unbroken CFLs to the store associate behind the returns desk. The bulbs will then be managed responsibly by an environmental management company who will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance.