Lighting the Future

CFL Disposal

Follow these guidelines to dispose of your CFL properly:

  • Like paint, batteries, thermostats, and other hazardous household items, CFLs should be disposed of properly. DO NOT throw CFLs away in your household garbage if better disposal options exist. To find out what to do, first check www.earth911.org where you can find disposal options by using your zip code. Or call 1-877-EARTH911 for local disposal options. Additional information is available at www.lamprecycle.org. Also, some retailers are currently exploring take-back programs.
  • Check with your local waste management agency  (MO & KS) for recycling options and disposal guidelines in your community. Home Depot stores accept CFLs (unbroken) at no charge as part of the company's Eco Options program. If no other options are available, place the CFL in a plastic bag and seal it before putting it in the trash. If your waste agency incinerates its garbage, you should search a wider geographic area for proper disposal options. Never send a CFL or other mercury-containing product to an incinerator.
  • ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs have a two-year warranty. If the bulb fails within the warranty period, return it to your retailer.

Because there is such a small amount of mercury in CFLs, your greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut from glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk to you or your family should a bulb break, especially if it's cleaned up properly. EPA offers a brochure on how to reduce CFL mercury exposure.

You can minimize any risks by following these proper clean-up and disposal guidelines:
    Before cleanup
  • Have people and pets leave the room.
  • Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment.
  • Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning (H&AC) system, if you have one.
  • Collect materials needed to clean up broken bulbs.


    • During cleanup
  • Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder.
  • Place cleanup materials in a sealable container.


    • After cleanup
  • Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.
  • For several hours, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off.