FAQ-Waste-Fluorescent Bulbs

Where can I take fluorescent bulbs for recycling?

Alberta Environment recognizes that fluorescent bulbs are an environmental and waste management issue and encourages all Albertans to divert fluorescent bulbs from landfills to other end-of-life management options such as recycling. Some communities accept compact fluorescent light bulbs as part of the household hazardous waste collection program.  Round Ups are held in many communities throughout the year. Contact your municipality or local landfill for information on household hazardous waste drop-off depots or visit Alberta Recycling’s website.

While the disposal of fluorescent bulbs is an issue, the use and disposal of mercury-containing lamps rather than incandescent bulbs actually results in less mercury being emitted to the environment, as the highest source of mercury entering the atmosphere occurs through the burning of fossil fuels for energy. Incandescent bulbs consume significantly more energy than fluorescent bulbs, so they result in greater mercury emissions over the lifecycle of the bulbs. By using fluorescent bulbs, you are reducing both your energy use and your overall mercury emissions.

At this time, no viable replacement has been found for mercury, an essential component, in fluorescent lamps. Most lamp manufacturers are working to reduce the mercury content of fluorescent lamps to the minimum amount feasible without reducing lamp life. Through the Canada-Wide Standards initiative, manufacturers have committed to significant reductions in the amount of mercury in lamps. Mercury-free fluorescent lamps are available using xenon; however, their efficiency is about 30 per cent of that of a mercury-based fluorescent lamp.

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