CFL Recycling

Members can safely dispose of non-working, unbroken CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) at any of our district offices.

What to do if you break a CFL on a hard surface

• Open windows in the room to air out the room for 15 minutes before cleaning up
• Don’t use a vacuum cleaner
• Wear gloves
• Gently sweep up fragments
• Use a moist paper towel or sticky tape to help pick up remaining tiny fragments
• Place fragments and paper towels in a sturdy, sealable bag and throw away
• Wash your hands and any equipment used to assist with cleaning

What to do if you break a CFL on carpet

• Open windows in the room to air out the room for 15 minutes before cleaning up
• With gloves on, carefully pick up glass fragments
• If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken
• Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag and throw away
• Wash your hands and any equipment used to assist with cleaning

For more information on CFLs:
Fact Sheet