Fluorescent Bulbs

Do not place bulbs - including fluorescent, incandescent, LED, or HID - in your curbside recycling.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and other energy-efficient lighting such as fluorescent tube lamps and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps contain a small amount of mercury. All fluorescent bulbs and ballasts should be recycled properly to protect public health and the environment.

Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs - small, twisty bulbs) can be recycled for free at most Lowe's and Home Depot retail locations. Call your local store first to make sure they are participating. Look for a drop box near the main entrance or customer service desk.

Some local BatteriesPlus retail stores will accept and recycle all bulbs and ballasts, including fluorescent tubes. Stores are located in Akron, Canton, Macedonia, Mayfield Heights, and Parma. A small disposal fee will apply. Check with your local BatteriesPlus.

Some city service departments collect fluorescent tube bulbs. Your community may accept and properly dispose of tube bulbs using taxpayer dollars or charge you a small recycling fee. To find collection information for your community, use this website’s geolocation services, or choose your community from the green ‘Select a City’ drop-down at the top of the page and click ‘See Details.’ 

Mailback recycling services for fluorescent bulbs include Green Lights Recycling and LampMaster.

Ballasts

Most scrap metal yards will accept non-PCB-containing ballasts, manufactured after 1979, for recycling. 

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were commonly used in the small capacitors within fluorescent light ballasts. Ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain PCBs. Learn more from the US EPA.

Residents with fluorescent bulbs and ballasts can contact the Solid Waste District for additional disposal options. Matt Walters can be reached at (216) 698-7595 or by email.

How do I clean up a broken fluorescent bulb?
In 2010, the U.S. EPA released guidelines on managing mercury-containing compact fluorescent light bulbs that break in the home. Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury sealed in the glass tubing. When broken, some of the mercury is released as mercury vapor. The EPA states the bulb will continue to leak mercury vapor until it is cleaned up and removed from the home.

What about incandescent, LED, or halogen bulbs?
Incandescent lights, LED and halogen bulbs do not contain any dangerous chemicals. When the bulb is burned out, dispose of it in the regular trash.

Waste from Businesses or Commercial Properties

There are different rules for the disposal of hazardous and universal wastes from a business, including fluorescent bulbs and ballasts. Businesses must contract with a licensed company for proper disposal or recycling. See the Business Locations list below for options.

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Looking to recycle, donate, or dispose of other items? Use the dark blue 'What Do I Do With?' search bar at the top of every page of this website. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.