Households

Households are more frequently using mercury lamps to save energy and reduce electric bills. Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps are now being used in place of fluorescent lamps due to their higher efficiency and absence of mercury.

• Long lamps can be used in kitchen overhead lights and garage shop lights.
• Compact lamps can replace incandescent lights (light bulbs) in traditional fixtures.

Household mercury lamps have the same amount of mercury as those used in businesses and pose the same threat to the environment.

Exemption

There are no exemptions for household mercury lamps. All lamps must be recycled. The Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) urges households to recycle waste mercury lamps by bringing them to a household hazardous waste collection. Recycling these lamps is the right thing to do for our environment.

Recycling Options

The best recycling option is to take waste mercury lamps to a household hazardous waste collection.

Another option is to dispose of waste mercury lamps during a “roundup”. Most cities, towns, and counties hold periodic household hazardous waste roundups where mercury lamps, paint, discarded pesticides, and other hazardous materials can be discarded free of charge.

For additional information on household hazardous waste collection dates and locations, please call your local city or county public works or environmental health department. Information about collection and roundups in some counties can be found on the Household Hazardous Waste Online Resources page.

Safety Tips

Even though households are not required to comply with the protective hazardous regulations for waste mercury lamps, it is important to remember that these lamps contain mercury that is harmful if released in the home.

• Always change mercury lamps carefully.
  Broken lamps not only release mercury into the home, they also release potentially toxic phosphor powders and broken glass. Practice ladder safety when removing mercury lamps and wear good leather gloves. 
• Clean up broken mercury lamps immediately.
  • Sweep up debris with a small broom or a whisk broom. Sweep gently to avoid suspending phosphor powders in the air.
  • DO NOT VACUUM broken lamp debris. The exhaust from the vacuum will disperse mercury into the air. If you must vacuum lamps debris, only vacuum after sweeping up as much debris as possible and wiping up the powder with a wet paper towel.
  • Place the debris in an airtight container (a sealable bag, glass jar, or pail with a tight fitting lid).
  • Seal the container and label it “Accidentally broken mercury lamps”.
  • Try to disperse the mercury vapor by opening windows or doors.
  • Dispose of the contained debris using the same guidelines for recycling intact waste mercury lamps. 
• Store lamps away from people.
  When replacing a lamp, put the waste lamp in the protective sleeve that the new lamp came in and place it in a sturdy box. Until recycled, the box should be stored in a safe and secure location that prevents breakage. 
• Keep lamps away from children.
  Keep mercury lamps out of the reach of children! Most kids find a game of “light sabers” with four-foot mercury lamps almost irresistible. 
• Recycle lamps as soon as possible.
  Take waste mercury lamps to a household hazardous waste collection, or alternative recycling facility, as soon as possible. The longer the waste lamps are in the house, the greater the chance that they will break and release mercury.

For questions about content, please contact the Regulatory Assistance Officers at (800) 72-TOXIC (800-728-6942) or go to the Regulatory Assistance Office web page.