Recycle Old Tube Lights

How to recycle fluorescent tubes.

Recycle old tube lights.

The cost of each kit includes shipping charges to the recycling center. 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. Note that some stores may only recycle certain types of bulbs such as cfls or 4 ft 1 2 m fluorescent tubes. The epa recommends that you bring old cfls to qualified recyclers rather than disposing of them in trash cans or curbside recycling bins.

Recycle fluorescent lights cfls and hids at no charge throughout washington state. 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. You can bring old cfls to the home depot for free recycling. Many recycling locations have temporarily closed and we expect more to follow.

If you re concerned about the mercury content in cfls consider led bulbs. Be sure to call the store ahead of time before you bring in your old tubes. You fill up a kit with old bulbs seal it and bring it to the post office or leave it for your postal carrier. 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.

Dave lake of colerain township has been replacing his unattractive fluorescent light bulbs in his home with new led bulbs. So he has been taking his old bulbs to lowe s and home depot for recycling. That can lead to short term health risk for exposed individuals and lasting environmental damage to soil and water. Social distancing is strongly encouraged as is staying home.

Visit the eco options website to learn more. 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.