Recycling CFLs

Because they contain a small amount of mercury, used CFLs are considered household hazardous waste. The best way to recycle old bulbs is to take them to a retailer that accepts CFLs, a household hazardous waste collection facility, or a neighborhood collection event accepting used CFLs along with other household materials such as paint, oil or pesticides. When you recycle a CFL bulb, the mercury, metal and glass can be reclaimed for use in future products.

Retailers

The Home Depot
Customers can bring used, unbroken CFLs to any Home Depot location for recycling. Look for orange recycling bins near the store’s returns desk.

IKEA
With recycling bins near the exit of each store, customers can recycle used, unbroken CFLs at every IKEA location.

Lowe’s
Recycling centers are located near the customer service desk at every Lowe’s location where customers can recycle any used, unbroken CFLs.

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

Call Metro Recycling Information at 503.234.3000 or visit Metro’s website for details.

Note: There is a $5 fee to drop off household hazardous waste at a collection facility. However, Metro also offers free household hazardous waste collection events that may accept CFLs for recycling.

Statewide

If you can’t find a retailer or collection facility near you, visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) website to find out more about household hazardous waste collection events in Oregon.

If you have additional questions about waste collection, please call DEQ’s Household Hazardous Waste Program at 503.229.5913.

Cleaning up Broken CFLs

A broken CFL poses no immediate health risk to you or your family if it’s cleaned up properly. Because CFLs contain such a small amount of mercury, being injured by glass shards from breakage is actually the greatest risk. To minimize any risks, follow these clean-up and disposal guidelines recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.