Recycle Compact Fluorescents (CFLs)

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Bring in your old compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs for recycling* at the retailers listed below.

NOTE: Home Depot locations in B.C. now accept CFL bulbs for recycling. Check the Home Depot store finder for a store near you.

Recycling Locations

Lower Mainland

Interior Region

Vancouver Island

*Only CFL bulbs can be submitted for recycling at participating retailers. CFL tubes are not accepted.

Outside Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island or Interior

If you are located outside the areas listed above, please contact the Recycling Council of BC at 1 800 667 4321 and they can provide answers to your recycling questions.

Common Questions

How are compact fluorescent bulbs recycled?
The Lamp Recycler, the company that recycles the bulbs, utilizes a small vacuum chamber that is constantly rinsed with water. The lamps are fed into the machine and once in the vacuum chamber, the end of the lamp is broken open. The vacuum draws out the mercury and phosphorus and cold water is used to keep mercury in its most transportable state, a liquid.

The glass is then crushed and the aluminum end caps separated and these items are sent for recycling. The end caps are then sent to local smelters and the glass is used to manufacture light-reflecting paint for highways. The mercury and phosphorus are placed in sealed drums and sent for separation, recycling and neutralization.

How much mercury is in a compact fluorescent bulb?
Both linear fluorescent and CFL lamps (light bulbs) contain a small amount of mercury, necessary for normal operation. CFLs contain four milligrams, approximately half the mercury found in a linear fluorescent lamp. Mercury is only released when the bulb is broken. Most lamp manufacturers offer a "low mercury" or environmentally friendly lamp. The green socket or end cap identifies these lamps.

Because compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, is it better for the environment to use incandescent bulbs?
No. Although fluorescent lights contain small amounts of mercury, they are far more energy-efficient than incandescent lights. Using energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs is better for the environment because they reduce greenhouse gas emissions from gas-fired generating stations and reduce the need to build new generation facilities. Because they last about eight times longer, fewer bulbs go into landfills and less packaging is required.