How to clean up and recycle a broken CFL safely

Some people do not buy CFLs for fear of breaking one and having their home contaminated with mercury. The fear is real driving force, even if it’s mostly unfounded. The actual amount of mercury in a CFL is pretty minor. However, the heavy metal still presents a health hazard if it comes into contact with people.

Here at Green Living Ideas, we believe CFLs are still a good option for many people to help them save money on their utility bills and decrease their carbon footprint. CFLs use a lot less energy than regular incandescent bulbs, and cost less than higher tech (and mercury free) LEDs. Check out a cool video here comparing incandescents, CFLs and LEDs, for more info.

Safe cleanup, disposal and recycling: a how-to guide

The mercury in CFLs is pretty minimal, but it is present, and it’s definitely best if you don’t inhale any of the vapor or dust from a broken CFL bulb. So if you break a bulb, evacuate people from the room, and open the windows for circulation to allow the mercury vapor to dissipate. Then, after you feel enough fresh air has moved through the room, you can clean up the broken glass, gently, with a broom and dustpan, so as to not volatize the dust and vapor if at all possible. NEVER VACUUM A BROKEN CFL! Doing so would put the dust into the air in the room, and you’ll likely end up breathing it.

CFLs that have just burned out but are not broken need to be disposed of properly, so as not to introduce mercury to the environment unnecessarily. Home Depot takes CFLs for recycling at all their major retail outlets, so just bring your old, dead CFLs down to Home Depot and drop them off at customer service.

Local municipalities may also recycle CFLs. Call your solid waste disposal division of your municipal government or check their website to find out.