discarding a light bulb

Incandescent light bulbs can be disposed of in your regular trash service. Most curbside recycling programs will not accept incandescent light bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs can be identified by their wire-like filaments in the middle, though with frosted incandescent bulbs the filament can be hard to see. Incandescent bulbs become hot when emitting light. Prepare an incandescent light bulb for disposal by wrapping it in a paper or plastic bag. If the bulb does break, the debris will be contained in the bag. Halogen light bulbs can be disposed of in the regular household trash service or recycled at an approved facility, depending on your area's requirements. Halogen bulbs cannot be placed in the regular recycling bin. Check with your community's hazardous waste management program to see if halogen bulbs need to be recycled in your area. Halogen bulbs are typically reflector-shaped and they burn hot and bright. Halogen bulbs are found around the home and garage as auto headlights, outdoor flood lights, indoor recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and as work lights. To dispose of a halogen bulb in regular household trash, place the bulb in a plastic or paper grocery bag and then put it in your regular trash service. Halogen bulbs are sturdy and will not break easily, so wrapping is only a precaution. Fluorescent light tubes should be recycled at approved recycling facilities.5 Do not include fluorescent light tubes in regular trash service or curbside recycling. Fluorescent light tubes are long, glass tubes, usually from 2 to 8 feet long. Around the home, fluorescent light tubes are found in garages, sheds, carports, and workshops. Fluorescent light tubes contain mercury, so they are considered to be hazardous waste. Most curbside trash and recycling programs will not accept fluorescent tubes not only due to the toxic materials but because the tubes are fragile and easily broken.