7. Light Bulbs
Although they are praised for being energy efficient, CFL bulbs contain mercury and need to be properly recycled to protect the environment. Christmas lights contain copper, glass, and plastic, making them an important item to recycle from a resource conservation standpoint. Some of the mail-in recycling programs listed below take additional recyclables, making it possible to recycle a variety of items in the same package.
- HolidayLEDs
Holiday LEDs Recycling
https://www.holidayleds.com/free-light-recycling
W227N6225 Sussex Road
Sussex, WI 53089
To encourage people to adopt LED holiday lighting, this program offers a coupon in exchange for incandescent string lights sent to its recycling program. Available all year, the program accepts string lights but not rope lights or individual bulbs. Separate light strings from any other material, such as garlands or tinsel, before mailing. - Eco Lights Northwest Recycling Program
Seattle, WA 98134
(888) 214-2327
www.ecolights.com
Ballasts, CFLs, fluorescent bulbs, items containing mercury, NiCad batteries, mercury thermostats, other batteries, rechargeable batteries, single-use batteries
This program offers pre-paid recycling kits for all lighting sources, fixture bulbs, batteries, and other mercury-containing items. Please call for additional information. - Environmental LED Christmas Light Recycling Program
109 E Prairie St
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(866) 465-7334
www.environmentalled.com/Christmas-Light-Recycling-24.html
String lights
Send in your old Christmas lights for recycling and receive a 10 percent off coupon. Please put lights in the original boxes or in a cardboard box without any packing materials. Include your name and email address for the coupon. - LampRecycling.com
Lisle, IL 60532
(888) 640-6700
www.lamprecycling.com
Ballasts, CFLs, computers, computer monitors, electronics, floppy disks, fluorescent bulbs, items containing mercury, mercury thermostats, NiCad batteries, office machines, rechargeable batteries, single-use batteries, telephones, televisions
Through the EasyPak recycling containers, you can recycle fluorescent bulbs, batteries, ballasts, and electronics. Participants receive a certificate officially recognizing their recycling efforts and access to online recycling reports that track your progress over time. Please visit the website to order an EasyPak. - Mercury Technologies of Minnesota Lamp Recycling Program
Pine City, MN 55063
(800) 864-3821
www.mercurytechnologies-mn.com/box.html
Ballasts, CFLs, fluorescent tubes, batteries, cell phones, office equipment, microwaves
Mercury Technologies is the oldest fluorescent lamp recycling company in continuous existence in the United States. It offers pre-paid recycling boxes in several sizes, and also accepts HID and incandescent lamps. - Waste Management LampTracker
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(800) 664-1434
www.wmlamptracker.com
Ballasts, CFLs, fluorescent tubes, items containing mercury (dental waste), mercury thermostats, NiCad batteries, rechargeable batteries, single-use batteries, electronics, computers, televisions, toner cartridges
Please go online to order a LampTracker Mercury VaporLok container. Once your container is received, LampTracker will send a certificate of compliance via email.