Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are being used in more homes and businesses than ever before. By using CFLs, consumers can save money and energy through reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills. CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury within the tubing - an average of 5 milligrams - and are safe to use in your home. However, the bulbs should be handled with care. Precautions should be taken to properly handle broken CFLs and to dispose of used fluorescent lamps.

Proper Disposal of CFLs

Do not throw CFLs away in your household garbage, it is illegal to do so in the state of Maryland.

Consumers can take all used, unbroken CFL bulbs to:

• IKEA store in College Park, 10100 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740, (888) 888-4532
• Lowes home improvement stores
• Home Depot

Please check with stores before you head out, as policies often change. Learn more with this video.

Used, unbroken, or broken CFLs that are sealed in a clear plastic bag may be taken to the following location:

Household Hazardous Waste Acceptance Site
Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill
11611 Brown Station Road
Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772

Items may be dropped off Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Proper Method of Clean Up for Broken CFLs

• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more
• On hard surfaces, carefully scoop up broken glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels in a plastic bag
• On carpeting or rugs, carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken and place the vacuum bag and debris in a sealed plastic bag
• Take the plastic bags to the Household Hazardous Waste Acceptance site for proper and safe disposal. Prince George’s county accepts hazardous waste every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Brown Station Road Landfill in Upper Marlboro: 11611 Whitehouse Road Upper Marlboro, Maryland.