Fluorescent lamps and light bulbs are considered hazardous waste because they contain mercury and other toxic heavy metals. Improper disposal of a fluorescent bulb to a landfill or other disposal method creates the risk of mercury finding its way into our lakes, streams, and other watercourses and ultimately into the food chain. When mercury reaches a lake, river, or stream it is converted to methylmercury by bacteria and other natural processes. Fish absorb methylmercury from their food and directly from the water. Once absorbed by the fish the mercury tightly binds to proteins in the fish tissue. Once in the fish the mercury can then easily move up the food chain.

Who Has To Recycle Their Fluorescent Bulbs?

All businesses in Wisconsin are required to recycle thier fluorescent bulbs. Nearly every business, institution and government agency generates waste lamps and bulbs that could become a hazardous waste problem if not handled properly. Because of this, the DNR has developed a policy encouraging lamp and bulb recycling that protects the environment while reducing the regulatory burden for managing waste lamps. This policy:
- allows waste lamp generators to safely store and recycle their lamps without strictly following hazardous waste regulations;
- does not permit businesses and other regulated groups to dispose of waste lamps and light bulbs in sanitary landfills if those waste lamps and bulbs contain heavy metals that exceed hazardous waste limits; and,
- only applies to fluorescent and other mercury-containing lamps because recycling options do not currently exist for other types of waste lamps.

Waste lamps that aren't recycled are subject to hazardous waste regulations that usually require storage, transport and other licenses or approvals from the state Department of Natural Resources.

What Should I Do With My Waste Lamps and Bulbs?

Store your fluorescent bulbs that have reached the end of their life span in an area and in a way that will prevent them from breaking, such as in the box the replacement bulbs came in. Label the boxes with the words "Universal Waste Bulbs". If the bulbs are accidentally broken, store them in a sealed container. Then, contact a fluorescent bulb recycler in your area. Some bulb recyclers offer transportation services while others may ask you to safely transport your own bulbs to their facility. To find a fluorescent bulb recycler near you please refer to the Fluorescent Bulb Recycler Directories at the bottom of this page or visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource's recycling markets directory on the DNR's website at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/markets/www_resources.html.