How to recycle/dispose of fluorescent light bulbs and tubes (CFL)

Curbside collection: No
County facilities accepting fluorescent light bulbs and tubes (CFL):
 Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events
 Solid Waste Transfer Station - Hazardous Waste

• US EPA information on compact fluorescent light bulbs

• How to dispose of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and tubes from your home
• How to dispose of CFLs and tubes from your business
• What to do if a fluorescent light bulb breaks

How to dispose of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and tubes from your home

If you have CFLs or tubes from your home, take them to one of our Household Hazardous Waste collection sites or community drop-off locations.

• Hours of acceptance: vary by location
• Cost: no charge
• Items accepted:
  • Household Hazardous Waste Collection sites: compact fluorescent bulbs and tubes
  • Community drop-off locations at retail stores: compact fluorescent bulbs only
• Quantity limits
  • Household Hazardous Waste Collection sites: no quantity limit
  • Community drop-off locations at retail stores: small quantities only

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Home Depot #2558
14000 Georgia Avenue
Aspen Hill MD 20906

IKEA
10100 Baltimore Avenue
College Park MD 20740

Montgomery County Solid Waste Transfer Station
16101 Frederick Rd
Derwood MD 20855

Home Depot #2550
15740 Shady Grove Rd
Gaithersburg MD 20877

Home Depot #2560
21010 Frederick Rd
Germantown MD 20876

Amicus Green Building Center
4080-A Howard Ave
Kensington MD 20895

My Organic Market
11711-B Parklawn Dr
Rockville MD 20852

Home Depot #2551
2300 Broadbirch Dr
Silver Spring MD 20904

How to dispose of CFLs and tubes from your business

If you have CFLs or tubes from your business, take them to the Hazardous Waste drop-off area at our Solid Waste Transfer Station.

• Hours of acceptance: Monday - Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Cost: $0.60 per bulb or 4-foot tube; $1.20 per 8-foot tube
• No quantity limit

What to do if a fluorescent light bulb breaks

CFLs and tubes contain a small amount of mercury. These instructions from the US EPA describe clean-up and disposal guidelines for broken fluorescent light bulbs.

Double-bag the broken CFL or tube in a re-sealable plastic bag and place in your household trash. Do not put CFLs or tubes into your recycling bin.

"How to recycle/dispose of..." Index

This information last updated 4/9/2009.