![]() ![]() Hazardous waste regulations use the term "lamp" instead of "bulb." This would include tube-style fluorescents and CFLs. State and federal hazardous waste laws regulate how businesses, institutions and other non-households manage waste light bulbs that contain mercury or other toxic substances. Residents should check with their local county recycling program to see if there are local restrictions for light bulb disposal. However, the DNR encourages households to recycle mercury-containing bulbs when possible. Household waste is not regulated as a hazardous waste identified in ch. Wisconsin has no legal requirements for disposing of bulbs that come strictly from households. Įnergy Star/EPA factsheet: Frequently Asked Questions - Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury Legal requirements for dispsoal While the amount of mercury in each bulb is small, mercury pollutes the air and water when it ends up in landfills or incinerators.įor more information on mercury and its environmental and human health effects, visit EPA's Mercury in Your Environment. This risk makes it important to dispose of CFLs and other light bulbs properly.ĭespite claims by manufacturers that "green" lamps can be safely landfilled, CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury and should be properly recycled. If bulbs are broken, burned or landfilled, metals and other toxic substances can be released into the environment. Mercury, lead and other heavy metals all have the potential to be hazardous wastes. Using CFLs also results in reductions of other air emissions from power plants, including carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. The EPA estimates that standard coal-fired power plants emit 5.5 milligrams (mg) of mercury to power an incandescent bulb over its lifetime, in comparison with 1.2 mg of mercury to power a CFL over the same period of time. Certified by the EPA's Energy Star Program, CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb, can last up to 10 times longer and save $30 or more in electricity costs over the life of the bulb. Lamp and Bulb Management (WA-195) Ĭompact fluorescent lamps are used extensively in homes and businesses, and, besides being recyclable, have many environmental benefits. ![]() high and low-pressure sodium vapor bulbs – i.e., yellow lights used for outdoor security lighting.īecause these bulbs contain metals and toxic chemicals, they should be properly disposed of to avoid contaminating the environment or harming human health.metal halide bulbs – i.e., newer, more efficient high-intensity lights and.mercury vapor bulbs – i.e., high-intensity lamps with blue-white, originally used as farmyard lights.tube- and compact-style fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).Many types of light bulbs contain metals such as mercury. ![]()
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