This Green Life

COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS

Clean-up and Disposal Guide

Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) are a highly efficient form of lighting

that uses 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. If every household
in the United States would replace just one conventional light bulb
with an Energy Star CFL, we could save more than $600 million in
annual energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the
emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

The light quality of today's CFLs is comparable or superior to incandescent bulbs. CFLs also
last far longer and cost less to use, thereby saving customers money in the long run.

But they do contain a small quantity of mercury, which is a dangerous neurotoxin,

especially for small children, babies and fetuses. Therefore, you should take care when
cleaning up a broken bulb and disposing of a used one.

How to clean up a broken CFL

1. Open a window before cleaning up, and turn off any forced-air heating or air
conditioning.
2. Instead of sweeping or vacuuming, which can spread the mercury around, scoop up
the glass fragments and powder. Use sticky tape to pick up remaining glass fragments
or powder. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or wet wipes.
3. Dispose of the broken bulb through your local household hazardous waste program or
recycling program. If that service is unavailable in your area, place all cleanup materials
in a trash container outside the building.
4. Wash your hands after cleaning up.
5. If vacuuming is needed afterwards, when all visible materials have been removed,
vacuum the area and dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag. For the next
few times you vacuum, turn off any forced-air heating or air conditioning and open a
window before doing so.

How to dispose of a used CFL

Don't throw it in the garbage where it might break en route to the landfill and release
mercury. Instead, recycle it. Your town may have a special drop-off place for CFLs or
you can take the bulbs to your local Home Depot or Ikea. Plug in your zip code at
earth911.org to find the drop-off place nearest you.

© 2009 Natural Resources Defense Council

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