I know it’s not supposed to go in the trash, but where is it supposed to go? That’s a common phrase we hear about all sorts of different items – electronics, batteries, and CFL lightbulbs to name a few. The Light Recycle program continues to seek to offer Washington residents an easier answer for one of these*.

LightRecycle Washington Provides Free Mercury-Containing Lightbulb Recycling

LightRecycle Washington is a recycling program for mercury-containing lights that launched January 1, 2015. The program will provide no-charge recycling services for fluorescent tubes, CFLs, HIDs (High Intensity Discharge) and other types of mercury-containing lights. As part of the program, residents and businesses can drop off up to 10 lights per person per day at authorized collection sites throughout Washington State. While collection facilities existed for these items already, this program has greatly increased the number of collection locations around the state.

Lightbulbs Accepted by LightRecycle Washington

Accepted items include:

Fluorescent Light Tubes – straight or curved

 

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)

 

High Intensity Discharge Lights (HIDs), including High Pressure Sodium, Low Pressure Sodium, Mercury Vapour, Metal Halide, Ultraviolet (UV), Ultra High Performance (UHP) and Germicidal

Safe CFL Recycling Prevents Mercury Pollution

Mercury is a toxic metal that accumulates in our bodies and the environment. When mercury-containing lights are broken, mercury is released into the environment, and is harmful to our health. Because they’re an energy efficient option, more mercury-containing lights are being purchased, so a safe way to collect and recycle these lights is important.

The lights collected through the LightRecycle Washington program are processed at EcoLights Northwest in Seattle. EcoLights crushes the fluorescent lamps and separates them into various component parts for separate recycling. Nearly 100% of the non-hazardous materials, including glass and aluminum, are recycled.

LightRecycle Drop-Off Points in Kirkland

Here in Kirkland we have a few options for recycling mercury-containing lights.

CFL bulbs can be brought to:

• Kirkland City Hall
  123 5^th Ave.
• Bartell Drugs Kingsgate
  14442 124^th Ave. N.E.
• Bartell Drugs Bridle Trails
  6619 132^nd Ave. N.E.
• Bartell Drugs Inglewood
  14130 Juanita Dr. N.E Ste. 107
• Bartell Drugs Houghton
  10625 N.E. 68th

Fluorescent tubes can be brought to:

• Crescent Lighting
  12629 NE 85th Street
• Town Center Hardware
  6613 132 AVE NE

Drop-off points are available statewide – use LightRecycle’s interactive map to find the most convenient collection site for you.

*Have questions on electronics or batteries? Check out your options for safely and effectively recycling electronics and batteries.