These bulbs contain mercury and need to be recycled:
- Compact fluorescent bulbs (all sizes)
- Fluorescent bulbs of all shapes and sizes (tubes, circles, U-shaped, bug “zappers”, tanning lamps, and black lights)
- High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, typically used for exterior lighting (metal halide, mercury vapor, and high pressure sodium)
- Neon lights
Halogen bulbs, incandescent bulbs, and LED bulbs do not contain mercury, and are safe to throw in the trash. However, these light bulbs can also be recycled locally at Batteries Plus Bulbs.
Residents are strongly encouraged to recycle all mercury-containing lamps using the residential programs listed below. For most businesses, these are regulated as universal waste and are required to be recycled by law. Businesses can recycle any of these at Springfield Electric for a fee.
When recycled, CFLs will have all mercury, lead, and electronic components recycled for reuse.
Local CFL recycling drop off locations are:
- Batteries Plus Bulbs, Parkway Shopping Center, 1715 Bradford Lane, 309-663-2200
- Accepts all types of bulbs including tube fluorescents
- May charge a small fee
- Monday-Saturday 8:00am-7:00pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
- Home Depot 795 Veteran’s Parkway, Bloomington, 309-452-4031
- Look for a drop-off bin located near the front entrance. CFL’s only, no tubes
- Monday-Saturday 6:00am-10:00pm, Sunday 7:00am-8:00pm
- Lowes 2101 E Empire St, Bloomington, 309-661-6467
- Look for a drop-off bin located at the front entrance
- Monday-Saturday 6:00am-10:00pm, Sunday 8:00am-8:00pm
