Proper Disposal of Compact Flourescent lights (CFLs)

Proper Disposal of Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
Because CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury, all burned-out CFLs should be recycled and removed from the normal waste stream. Mercury is a health hazard and a new Washington state rule prohibits mercury-containing items from being disposed of with household garbage. Burned-out CFLs can now be recycled in two ways: at a Snohomish County Solid Waste facility or any Home Depot retail store.

HOME DEPOT RETAIL STORES RECYCLINGAs of June 24, 2008, Home Depot stores offers free recycling of burned-out CFL bulbs. Customers can simply bring in any expired, unbroken CFL bulbs and give them to a Home Depot sales associate at the Returns Desk. The bulbs will then be managed responsibly by an environmental management company that will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance. For more information about this program, visit the Home Depot Web site at www.homedepot.com/ecooptions.