Fluorescent Lights—Bulbs and Tubes Return to recycling menu . These contain mercury, a potent neurotoxin, and must be taken to a drop-off collection site. It’s also easier to ship CFLs for recycling … The tune is an old one: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs because they absorb less energy and have a longer shelf life than their incandescent counterparts. Some retailers will accept fluorescent bulbs in their stores for recycling purposes. Be sure to call the store ahead of time before you bring in your old tubes. Look for the recycling kiosk near the Customer Service desk. (See the list of participating fluorescent bulb recycling retailers below.) Hangers can be returned to a dry cleaner or donated to a thrift store, CFL lightbulbs can be recycled at a Lowe’s recycling center, and Styrofoam should be placed in the trash. It’s the latest in a growing list of retailers offering in-store recycling. Not all locations will offer this service. Which spaces in your home are energy hogs? Tube lights are generally used in commercial buildings, warehouses and schools. Plastic bags can be recycled into other materials (rugs, decking, etc.) Or you can call 1-800-CLEANUP (Part of Earth 911) to find a recycling center near you. CFLs can be recycled for free at Lowe's stores. Pizza boxes can be recycled if they don’t have grease residue – but we all know they usually do. recycling electronic ballasts & fluorescent tubes. Ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain PCBs. Lowe’s also accepts plastic planter pots and cases in the garden center for recycling. Not what you were looking for ? "They have great upfront customer service," he said, "a recycling space where you can place them and walk out.". CFLs are more widely purchased by consumers in these retail stores, whereas fluorescent tubes are more often used in offices. 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I placed the tube into a strong paper bag, placed an old towel over the bag and used a hammer to break the bagged end. Lowes says that the recycling centers will offer a convenient and free way for customers to recycle rechargeable batteries, cell phones, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and plastic shopping bags. There are 4 different fluorescent light options; T4, T5, T8, and T12. County household hazardous waste drop-off sites collect fluorescent and HID bulbs for recycling. Try posting a question. Find Fluorescent grow light fixtures & kits at Lowe's today. Check out your local Lowe’s to take advantage of free recycling services for household items like unused paint, expired batteries, light bulbs, and fluorescent tubes. Minnesota Power makes fluorescent bulb recycling as easy as a trip to your local hardware store; we'll even help pay the recycling fee. This allows the recycler to haul more materials as well as lessens the chance of a bottle cap shooting off during the recycling process. Each year, more and more people enjoy the convenience of rechargeable batteries. Open a free business account and reap the benefits! You should never place recyclables in a plastic bag. Like 0 Comment 1; Stay updated; Report; Posted 2013-05-22T14:04:30+0000 by marthainalabama . Lowe’s recently debuted a three-in-one recycling bin at 1,700 U.S. stores that provides a take-back program for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), rechargeable batteries/cell phones and plastic bags. fluorescent tubes. Accepts expired and unbroken compact fluorescent light bulbs as well as tube fluorescent tubes/lamps for recycling to electrical desk during store hours. Hello marthainalabama, Thanks for your question and welcome to the community! Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) – These curly tube bulbs are accepted at drop boxes inside Home Depot, Lowes and Ikea stores for free recycling. You should always check with your municipality for what is accepted but lightbulbs, Styrofoam, hangers (both metal and plastic), and electronics are usually not accepted. Check with your local waste hauler by visiting your town, city, or county website and find out exactly what can (or can’t) be recycled. Do an online search for stores in your local area that offer in-store recycling for fluorescent tubes. Just remember you should not break fluorescent bulbs, or throw them in a trash can, as they contain harmful mercury. All fluorescent lamps and tubes must be recycled, or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility, a universal waste handler (e.g., storage facility or broker), or an authorized recycling facility. The number is a resin identification code, used to help recycling plants sort materials. The ballast stabilizes the light, may require more time to heat up and will also flicker or shake if not balanced. Keep bulbs and tubes dry. We believe the collection and disposal of CFLs and paint can be more effectively managed through a third-party recycling program. The Home Depot Canada no longer accepts paint and compact fluorescent light bulbs and tubes for recycling in our stores. Check with your local waste hauler by visiting your town, city, or county website and find out exactly what can (or can’t) be recycled. Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should not be placed in the regular trash. So I put on a pair safety glasses and put on some work gloves. You might want to call your local store and ask. Find your local government recycling contact and learn more about local recycling programs. Does Lowes recycle fluorescent light tubes? The retailers listed in the recycling and disposal sites list accept bulbs for recycling. Fluorescent bulbs are available as CFLs (compact fluorescent lightbulbs) or longer light tubes, ranging from 2 to 8 feet. Furniture Fair Power Pack Feed Our Children. This means CFL and fluorescent bulbs are accepted at most HHW facilities and Home Depot and Lowe’s. Contact Us. Here's how it works: Take your used bulbs and one coupon per bulb to a participating store. We checked with both Lowe's and Home Depot and learned they still accept CFL's -- the little squiggly bulbs -- for recycling. Lowe’s recently debuted a three-in-one recycling bin at 1,700 U.S. stores that provides a take-back program for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), rechargeable batteries/cell phones and plastic bags. Recycling your spent batteries, bulbs and electronics is easy with Batteries Plus Bulbs. Lowe’s recycled over 2,300 tons of plastic from its own operations in 2018. All rights reserved. "I really wish that for the next five years or so that there would be an easy way to recycle these bulbs," he said. Lowes Fluorescent Tube Recycling. Paint and compact fluorescent bulb and tube recycling. The biggest market for CFL recycling is retailers (like Home Depot and Lowe's), which accept them for free but only from consumers. The T stands for tubular and the numbers are an index for the diameter (in inches) of the tube. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Generally, plastics 1, 2, 5 & 6 can be placed in your recycling bin. Look for a drop bin in the customer-service area of most stores. Dave Lake of Colerain Township has been replacing his unattractive fluorescent light bulbs in his home with new LED bulbs. They partnered with Earth911 for Earth Day this year. Neither store take them any longer. If paper or cardboard gets wet (or covered in pizza grease), it is no longer a viable product for recycling. Fluorescent tubes (straight, curved, round shape, square, "U" shape, etc.) "They said, 'Sorry, we can't take that anymore.' Local government recycling programs may offer a permanent of event collection program for fluorescent light recycling. ... Menards 900 Greenbriar Dr, Normal, IL 61761, USA. Recyclable plastics are labeled with numbers 1-7 inside the recycling symbol to tell workers what kind of plastic it is, and how it should be processed. Do Home Depot Stores accept electronic ballasts & fluorescent tubes for recycling Not what you were looking for ? For CFLs, in particular, there are several recycling options. Those looking to recycle fluorescent tubes at Lowes should contact the store near them directly as each location has a different policy when it comes to electronic recycling of bulbs and other e-waste. Most tube lighting will have its size mentioned on an end of the tube. Your disposal options include recycling or bringing the bulbs to a hazardous waste center. I was at Lowes and Home Depot today to dispose one fluorescent tube. So, in most cases, you won’t have to physically measure the tube’s diameter and length. He says he took it to Home Depot, but no luck there either. It’s the latest in a growing list of retailers offering in-store recycling. In most communities, there are several options for recycling used bulbs, including tube-style fluorescents and CFLs. "They have great upfront customer service," he said, "a recycling space where you can … That’s about the weight of 350 elephants. If your locality recycles glass, you should remove the lid from the glass container. Take the tubes to retailers that sell them if they offer in-store recycling. How to Recycle Lighting, Fluorescent Tubes in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties | Recycle Stuff 1-800-533-8414 The mercury is also hazardous allowing these bulbs to be classified as universal waste. But what are you supposed to do with those old fluorescent bulbs, which you are not supposed to throw in the trash? Hours of Operation. Lowe's and the Gable Mansard Design are registered trademarks of LF, LLC. I don't work for Home Depot nor represent them in any way but I suspect recycling may vary from store to store. Proper recycling may seem overwhelming at first, but remember: knowledge is power! Please don't try to recycle your fluorescent tubes through these retail collection bins, as the bulbs will likely break and contaminate the store. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. Check the website of your town or city to confirm what they will accept. There may be county collection days when you can leave the tubes curbside for pickup on certain days or days you can drop off the tubes at specified locations for recycling. Currently, most recycling centers only accept fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs, as these contain mercury, a precious metal making it valuable. © 2021 Lowe's. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Lowe's Home Improvement offers recycling of a number of products and hazardous items. Here are the features and benefits of fluorescent lighting: Fluorescent tube lights vary in length and will not work without a ballast. K Broken bulbs should be thrown in the trash. Fluorescent Tube Lights. Recycling for Businesses. "Neither store would take the small fluorescent tube," he said." Free drop-off collection sites. Broken bulb? Before bringing to a retailer, ask about fees and hours. Lowe's Home Improvement offers recycling of a number of products and hazardous items. Because it can be hazardous to transport the tubes, you’ll want to make sure the store will actually take them off your hands once you get there. Keep in mind Lowe’s stores offer a recycling center (usually near the entrance) that accepts plastic bags, CFL bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and cellphones. Do an online search for stores in your local area that offer in-store recycling for fluorescent tubes. We did find one chain that will accept them: Batteries Plus Bulbs, if you have one near you. The 4-foot fluorescent light tubes contain about 8 mg of mercury, so you must handle them like other hazardous waste products. In 2018, Lowe’s recycled the equivalent of the weight of 60,000 cars just in cardboard. It depends on the bag type! But he says Lowe's just told him he could not drop off a short fluorescent tube that he had been using under his cabinets. If you have a recycling bin with a lid at home, make sure you close the lid. PCB-containing ballasts become a concern if they are leaking or they will be removed and disposed of as hazardous waste. Recycling is easy. So I said, 'What am I going to do?'". Try posting a question. Clean it up safely: Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, a toxin that is dangerous if inhaled. Hangers can be returned to a dry cleaner or donated to a thrift store, CFL lightbulbs can be recycled at a Lowe’s recycling center, and Styrofoam should be placed in the trash. Simply follow the instructions at the Recycling Center (usually found near the front of a Lowe’s store) for proper rechargeable battery recycling. as long as they’re recycled with other plastic bags. Monday-Saturday: 6:30a.m. Fluorescent tubes – Residents can bring tubes to any household hazardous waste event. They partnered with Earth911 for Earth Day this year. But most of their stores will no longer accept fluorescent tubes, leaving Lake saying "Now what?". No. Free Shipping On Orders $45+. America Recycles Day is a great opportunity to answer some of those pesky recycling questions that we all feel like we should know by now, but might be too embarrassed to ask. LightRecycle Washington Recycle mercury-containing lights at no charge by dropping them off at authorized collection sites. Rechargeable batteries (those found in your Kobalt cordless drill, for example) can be recycled at certain retailers, including Lowe’s. According to EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulations, the material must be incinerated. Do not put fluorescent bulbs or tubes in the trash or recycling. – 8:00p.m. Shop grow light fixtures & kits and a variety of lighting & ceiling fans products online at Lowes.com. Inquire about city and state programs for recycling fluorescent tubes in Arizona. Sunday: 8:00a.m. At participating Lowe's store, customers can drop off expired, unbroken CFLs, any rechargeable battery … Recycle Stuff has the solutions to your recycling needs. Alkaline batteries, those most often found in children’s toys, electronics, and flashlights are unrecyclable; since they are no longer made of hard metals your best option is to simply put them in the trash. 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