Recycling Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
You may have heard that CFLs contain a small amount of mercury (100 times less than what is found in a single dental amalgam filling according to the USEPA) and that they need to be disposed of as household hazardous waste (HHW). Don’t worry, though, there are many locations that dispose of CFLs and fluorescent tubes in a responsible manner. Most of these locations also accept chemicals and other household hazardous wastes as well.
Where you can recycle CFLs
- Most ACE Hardware stores take CFL bulbs for recycling. Phone first.
- The Home Depot stores are recycling CFL bulbs nationwide.
- Environmental Defenders of McHenry County continues to sponsor bi-monthly recycling drives for a limited number of materials.
For a fee, they accept:
- CFL bulbs ($.75 each)
- fluorescent tubes ($.75 or $1 depending on length)
- batteries ($1 donation per lb.)
They purchase:
- aluminum cans
- copper
- brass
They accept for free:
- rechargeable batteries
- bags of packing peanuts
- bubble wrap
- clean aluminum foil
- For more information, call (815) 385-8512 or (815) 338-0393 or visit the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County website.
- There is a bi-annual Household Hazardous Wastes Collection event at McHenry County College. It is sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the McHenry County Planning and Development Department (MCPD). For updates on the next scheduled event, call Darrell Moore, Solid Waste Coordinator, at (815) 334-4560, ext. 3.
- The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County also sponsors monthly Household Chemical Waste Collections throughout Lake County. These drop-off events are open to Illinois residents. For directions and dates of upcoming events either call the agency at (847) 336-9340 or check out the SWALCO website.
- Many state HHW collection events are scheduled in the surrounding area, including long-term facilities in Naperville and Rockford. View the IEPA HWW collection schedule.