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Household Disposal
Because fluorescent lamps contain mercury, it is illegal to put spent lamps in the garbage or trash in King County. This applies to households, contractors and businesses.
When lamps are broken or disposed in the wrong places, they can release mercury, posing a threat to human health and the environment.
Residents in King County can recycle fluorescent lamps, including compact fluorescent bulbs (‘twisty’ bulbs) and straight tubes, in many places:
Use the Take It Back Network. Most participating retailers charge a small fee to recycle the spent lamps.
Take lamps to household hazardous waste facilities operated by the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County to recycle lamps for free.
Businesses have other options for recycling spent fluorescent lamps.
For more information contact Taylor Watson, Health and Environmental Investigator, at taylor.watson@kingcounty.gov.
