Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are an energy efficient and cost effective lighting alternative to regular incandescent light bulbs. Energy Star qualified bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an Energy Star qualified CFL, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the output of more than 800,000 cars annually.



Although companies have reduced the amount of mercury used in light bulbs, they are not yet able to completely eliminate the need for mercury. CFLs contain an average of five milligrams of mercury, which can vary depending on the company that makes the light bulb, the type of compact fluorescent light bulb, and when the light bulb was made. While the amount of mercury in a single fluorescent light bulb is small, large numbers of fluorescent light bulbs contribute to the amount of mercury that is released into the environment. Carefully recycling CFLs prevents the release of mercury into the environment and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights.

In most states, households are not required to manage their CFLs as a hazardous waste after they burn out. However, some states or localities may require households to recycle their CFLs. For information specific to your state, please consult your state or local environmental regulatory agency. If your local agency offers no other disposal options except your household garbage, place the fluorescent light bulb in two plastic bags and seal it before putting it into the outside trash for the next normal trash collection. For general information on recycling mercury-containing light bulbs, please visit http://www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling/.

Please note: No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use; exposure is possible only when a bulb has been broken. If a CFL should break in your home, please view the EPA's general clean-up guidelines.

For more information, please view the EPA's frequently asked questions on mercury-containing light bulbs.

Information about the health effects associated with mercury exposure is available on EPA's Mercury web page. However, if you are concerned about your exposure to mercury, you should consult your physician.

Finally, Energy Star's Change a Light Campaign is a national challenge to encourage every American to help change the world, one light at a time. You can show your commitment by pledging to replace at least one light in your home with one that has earned the Energy Star rating.

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