Recycle Old Tube Lights
Note that some stores may only recycle certain types of bulbs such as cfls or 4 ft 1 2 m fluorescent tubes.
Recycle old tube lights. Because it can be hazardous to transport the tubes you ll want to make sure the store will actually take them off your hands once you get there. If you re concerned about the mercury content in cfls consider led bulbs. The epa recommends that you bring old cfls to qualified recyclers rather than disposing of them in trash cans or curbside recycling bins. If you have old christmas or string led lights these can sometimes be accepted at your local lowe s or home depot so be sure to check when you are getting ready to replace your decorative lights.
Dave lake of colerain township has been replacing his unattractive fluorescent light bulbs in his home with new led bulbs. Visit the eco options website to learn more. You can bring old cfls to the home depot for free recycling. So he has been taking his old bulbs to lowe s and home depot for recycling.
Be sure to call the store ahead of time before you bring in your old tubes. Given the current situation we encourage you to reserve your recycling for when the covid 19 pandemic has passed. While compact fluorescent lightbulbs cfls have extensive recycling options through retail drop offs and mail in programs the same can t be said for fluorescent tubes. Fluorescent tubes serve as an energy efficient alternative to incandescent light bulbs but they contain low levels of toxic mercury which can be released into the air or water if the tubes are broken.
You fill up a kit with old bulbs seal it and bring it to the post office or leave it for your postal carrier. Some bulb manufacturers and other organizations sell pre labeled recycling kits that allow you to mail used bulbs to recycling centers. Luckily these tubes will last up to 15 000 hours so you won t need to worry about recycling them often. How to recycle fluorescent tubes.
Social distancing is strongly encouraged as is staying home. Recycle fluorescent lights cfls and hids at no charge throughout washington state. The cost of each kit includes shipping charges to the recycling center.