Information is constantly changing! Call ahead to verify hours and availability.
Light Bulbs - CFLs
Do not throw fluorescent or other mercury-containing lights in the trash or recycling bins. High intensity discharge, metal halide, sodium and neon lights all contain mercury as well. It’s illegal and mercury exposure can harm the brain, heart, and immune and nervous systems. Mercury products contaminate California’s drinking water, fish, soil, and air when they are not managed properly. The mercury limit in drinking water is 2 parts per billion in California, since even low quantities are extremely hazardous.
The following lamps are considered hazardous in California: fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, HID lamps, High intensity discharge lamps, metal halide lamps, sodium vapor lamps, grow lamps, Zenon lamps, headlights - auto, mercury vapor lamps, video projector lamps, ultraviolet lamps, UV lamps, water treatment lamps, sun lamps, tanning lamps, mercury containing lamps, LED lamps. The following ballasts are considered hazardous in California: light fixture ballasts, lamp ballasts, electronic ballasts, fluorescent light ballasts, HID light ballasts, PCB containing ballasts, no-PCB ballasts.
Be sure to transport in a way that prevents breakage. If a light breaks, refer to epa.gov/cfl. If a bulb breaks, open a window to disperse mercury vapor, collect the shards with tape, and place in a closed and sealed container—do not vacuum!
How are lights recycled? Lights must be recycled at EPA-approved sites. Glass is recycled or landfilled, recovered metal is recycled, and mercury is stored, disposed, or reused.
-
- Safe Disposal
2801 Encinal Ave, Alameda • (510) 523-4821Call firstFree Drop-off -
- Recycle
41149 Boyce Rd., Fremont • (800) 606-6606lamps & ballastsFree Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
4400 Shellmound St., Emeryville • (510) 420-4532Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
640A Central Avenue, Alameda • (510) 522-1345No large quantities. CFL's no longer than 4 ft.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
2569 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley • (510) 581-7633CVSan directs Castro Valley residents encouraged to bring boxed CFLs and fluorescent tubes to Pete's Hardware.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
3110 Busch Rd., Pleasanton • (925) 846-2042HHW drop off - residents only. No broken items!Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
20283 Santa Maria Ave, Castro Valley • (800) 884-8982All recycling cost are included. Simply place lamps in container and call RecycLights toll free when completely full for pick-up.Pick-up for a Fee -
- Safe Disposal
4001 N. Vasco Rd., Livermore • (925) 447-0491Construction & DemolitionFree Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
875 Alma Street, Palo Alto • (650) 327-7222can only accept a 6 tubes at a time.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto • (650) 496-5910Only 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste per visit. Must be a Palo Alto resident, proof of residency is required.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
1221 Grand Ave., Piedmont • (510) 652-1936There is a 5 light limit per trip.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
2298 South Shore Center, Alameda • (510) 769-7540No large quantities. CFL's no longer than 4 ft.Free Drop-off -
- Recycle
2100 East 7th Street, Oakland • (800) 606-6606lamps & ballastsFree Drop-off -
- Recycle
5584 La Ribera Street, Livermore • (800) 606-6606lamps & ballastsFree Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
220 South Spruce Avenue, South San Francisco • (650) 588-2838Pick-up for a Fee -
- Safe Disposal
5750 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park • (707) 584-0415Pick-up for a Fee -
- Safe Disposal
6000 88th Street, Sacramento • (916) 386-4999Pick-up for a Fee -
- Safe Disposal
2980 Kerner Boulevard, San Rafael • (415) 459-8807Pick-up for a Fee -
- Safe Disposal
170 South Spruce Ave, South San Francisco • (415) 596-2305Pick-up for a Fee -
- Safe Disposal
625 3rd Street, Oakland • (510) 832-6532No large quantities.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
3838 Hollis St., Emeryville • (510) 601-9400Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
43900 Ice House Ter., Fremont • (510) 490-0191Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
21787 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward • (510) 887-8544Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
5401 Thornton Ave., Newark • (510) 494-1205Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
4000 Alameda Ave., Oakland • (510) 533-5455Free Drop-off