WAIT! Don't throw your mercury-filled bulbs in the trash - You'll never guess how dangerous mercury really is if not recycled properly.
Each year, more than 670 million light bulbs filled with mercury are disposed improperly. This major concern is a threat to the environment and health of humans due to the exposure of toxic chemicals.
What Kinds of Light Bulbs Are Toxic and Should Be Recycled?
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
Fluorescents are popular light bulbs that provide light to many different places such as commercial stores, retail stores, industrial stores, school classrooms, and much more. Also, they are more efficient than incandescent lights because they illuminate a room without producing much heat or energy. However, these bulbs release mercury if broken and should be recycled to contain the toxic gas.
High Intensity Discharge Bulbs (HIDs)
HID lights are another common type of bulb used for settings in need of immense bright light. They are also used in large warehouses or other facilities, stadiums, and even streetlights. Like CFLs, HID lights contain mercury which needs to be recycled.
Neon and Argon Lamps
These types of lamps are unique and create a variety of colored UV light to illuminate a room. These lights can be used for fun decorations, outdoors, advertisement signs, and cosmetic treatments. Although these chemicals need to be recycled, neon and argon lights have many benefits such as they have a longer life span, use less energy, and are flexible in changing weather patterns.
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
LED bulbs are popular for saving energy, lasting longer and having better quality. However, it's important to recycle LEDs because they contain lead and arsenic which are toxic metals.
Why Do We Use Mercury Filled Light Bulbs?
Although it’s important to be aware of and recycle light bulbs that contain chemicals, they are very useful in every aspect of our lives. Similarly, mercury is a vital part of manufacturing bulbs as they provide light efficiency advantages.
On a further note, with the popularity of using CFLs, mercury helps in the process of saving energy as it consumes less power.
Where Should Toxic Light Bulbs Be Disposed?
There are many hazardous waste collection facilities that voluntarily take any light bulbs that need to be recycled. Among these places are Home Depot, IKEA and Lowe’s, as well as many other drop-off locations near you.
This keeps us safe and even better, it’s free of charge!
To recycle light bulbs, first detach it from the fixture and safely protect it with bubble wrap or packaging that avoids breakage. Not only is it important to contain mercury when recycling but it helps the materials inside the bulb be reused for other purposes.
On the other hand, if the bulb breaks just place it in an airtight container until dropped off at a recycling site.
What Kinds of Light Bulbs Can You Throw in The Trash?
Incandescent Light Bulbs
It is illegal to place mercury filled bulbs in the trash, so make sure to throw Incandescents in the garbage. This is because they have minimal glass and metal pieces with little to no mercury gas inside.
Halogen Light Bulbs
Like Incandescents, halogen bulbs are safe to be thrown in a household garbage. They have a thick glass and don’t break as easily but are more difficult to recycle.
Conclusion
Now you’re an expert on how to properly dispose of different lights. Just remember, any way you can clean up a broken mercury filled bulb is safer than leaving it out in the open.
