Frequently Asked Questions:
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and
Proper Disposal
Why should I buy CFLs instead of ordinary bulbs?
Install CFLs in your home to save money, energy and your time. One CFL uses up to 75% less energy
than an ordinary light bulb and lasts between 7 to 10 times longer, meaning you’ll spend less money and
less time changing burned out bulbs. You can save up to $60 annually on your electric bill by replacing
most of the incandescent bulbs in your home with CFLs. CFL energy savings and long life also offer
another way for you to help protect the environment by conserving resources and reducing landfill waste.
What should I do with my CFLs when they burn out?
CFLs should be disposed of properly with other household hazardous waste products such as paint,
batteries and thermostats. Please avoid throwing out spent CFLs in the household trash. They contain
electronic components and an extremely small amount of mercury. The amount of mercury is so small that
it does not pose a health risk to you or your family. However, we are working to keep large accumulations
of CFLs out of the landfills. Be sure to follow the proper disposal options described below:
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Check with your local or municipal government entity responsible for solid waste or household
hazardous waste collection. Some communities offer disposal or recycling programs that accept spent
CFLs. You can also visit www.lamprecycle.org to research your state’s disposal laws and recycling
programs.
To reduce the risk of bulb breakage and contamination, wrap the bulb in a sealed plastic bag.
Never incinerate CFLs.
If your ENERGY STAR-qualified bulb fails within the one-year warranty period, return it to the place of
purchase for a replacement bulb, and fill out a CFL failure card.
What is mercury?
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is present throughout the environment. Human activity can
release some of that mercury into the air, water and soil. In the U.S., coal-fired power plants are the
biggest source of mercury emissions to the air. When mercury enters water, biological processes transform
it to a highly toxic form that builds up in fish and animals that eat fish. Repeated exposure to large
quantities of mercury represents the biggest risk to humans, especially for children and women of
childbearing age. People are exposed to mercury primarily by eating contaminated fish. For more
information on mercury and other household products that contain the element, visit
www.epa.gov/mercury.
Why do CFLs have mercury in them?
Mercury is an essential, irreplaceable element in CFLs, and it’s what allows the bulb to be such an efficient
light source.
Because CFLs contain mercury, is it better for the environment to use incandescent bulbs?
No – you need to consider the broader perspective of the energy savings compared to the impacts of
energy generation. Using energy-efficient products, like CFLs, is one way to curb our regions growing
energy demands. Currently in the Northwest region, there are three new natural gas power plants that
have or will begin generating electricity in 2003. 1 Experts, including the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, agree that given a choice between CFLs and ordinary incandescent bulbs, CFLs are better for you
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According to the Northwest Power Planning Council Generating Project Activity in the Pacific Northwest, dated October 8, 2003 and accessed November 19,
2003 at http://www.nwppc.org/energy/powersupply/newprojects.xls.
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and the environment because they save money, conserve energy and reduce landfill waste
and coal-fired power plant emissions.
Why do utilities spend money to promote energy efficiency?
Simply put, it’s cost-effective and environmentally responsible. Saving kilowatt hours through energyefficiency initiatives is much cheaper than building the new generation, transmission and distribution lines
needed to meet our region’s growing energy demand. Energy conservation is also easier on the
environment. Through the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and related state and utility efforts, energy
saved in the region by 2010 will offset the need to build two new power plants and reduce CO2 emissions
by about 2 million tons.
Should I be concerned about using CFLs in my home?
CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no
danger to you or your family when handled properly. An extremely small amount of mercury, an average of
five milligrams, is sealed within the glass tubing. For a basis of comparison, there are about 500 milligrams
to two grams of mercury in your average home thermometer. It would take between 100 to 400 CFLs to
equal that same amount of mercury!
What is my health risk should a CFL break in my home?
Actually, your greatest health risk is getting cut from glass chards. Because there is such a small amount of
mercury in CFLs, research2 indicates that there is no immediate health risk to you or your family should the
bulb break, especially if cleaned up properly. Please follow the procedure described below.
What should I do if a CFL breaks?
In the unlikely event your bulb breaks, be certain to sweep up – don’t vacuum – all of the glass fragments
and phosphor powder. Place the broken pieces in a plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel
to pick up any stray shards of glass or fine particles. Put the used towel in the plastic bag as well. Like
paint, batteries, thermostats and other hazardous household items, CFLs should be disposed of properly.
Follow the disposal options described previously.
It is good practice to always clean up any products containing mercury with care and common sense.
Please note that products with liquid mercury (also called elemental mercury) require different clean up and
disposal procedures. Visit www.epa.gov/mercury for more information or call your local hazardous
household waste office.
What does the mercury in a CFL look like?
It may be difficult to see the mercury for several reasons. Simply put, there’s just not much there to begin
with. Five milligrams – the average amount in a CFL – is about the size of the very tip a ballpoint pen.
Additionally, the mercury will be in vapor form or absorbed on the lamp walls, the metal lamp ends or other
bulb components. At the end of a bulb’s rated life, very little of the mercury is available for release into the
environment.
How can I get the longest life out of my CFLs?
Lamp life can be shortened by a number of factors, including:
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Frequent on/off switching (such as closet light);
Installation in an enclosed fixture (if the CFL is not rated for enclosed fixture);
Installation in a high thermal location (such as in a down-light);
Use in a non-recommended manner (such as in a dimming circuit, or timer circuit not designed for
CFLs).
Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry (a branch of the Center for Disease Control), Public Health statement from Toxicological Profile for
Mercury, March 1999 - http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.html.
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Generally, it pays to read the packaging closely for any special instructions from the lamp manufacturer. Be
sure to purchase bulbs with the ENERGY STAR ® label because they’ve been tested for long life and carry
a one-year warranty. If an ENERGY STAR-qualified bulb fails during the warranty period, simply return it to
the retailer for replacement. You should also fill out a CFL failure card (available at most retail locations) to
help efforts in tracking lamp performance.
Are more recycling programs underway?
A number of solid waste government agencies, along with their area recyclers and local utilities, are
currently exploring other options for recycling spent fluorescent lamps, including convenient drop-off
locations at retail centers. Check with local solid waste officials for current activities in your area.
What is the Washington labeling law?
Washington is one of several states that recently passed legislation, in an effort to reduce mercury
emissions from human activity, called the Mercury Reduction and Education Act. As it relates to CFLs,
you’ll begin to see the label “Hg” on a bulb and its packaging. Hg is the international symbol for mercury.
Additionally, the packaging will state that the product contains mercury and that the lamp should be
disposed of in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. A website and toll-free number to
access this information will also be provided on the packaging. Even though the law was passed in
Washington, all states will begin to see labeled lamps in stores.
For more information on CFLs, including a store locator and a savings calculator, visit
www.lightsite.net.
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