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How to Recycle Fluorescent Lamps

Fluorescent Lamps have been banned from the Dane County Landfill.
The Dane County Landfill will no longer accept fluorescent lamps and bulbs. Because we cannot take old fluorescent's to the landfill, we will no longer be collecting them at the curb.

What Should I Do With My Old Fluorescent Tubes and Bulbs?

You should take your old fluorescent lamps back to any retail store that sells fluorescent lamps. Madison ordinances requires any store that sells fluorescent lamps and bulbs to take back old fluorescent's from their customers and get them recycled.

Stores are allowed to charge a fee for this service.

You can also take back old fluorescent's to one of three lamp recycling firms in the Madison area. They may also charge a fee for recycling your old bulbs.

For a listing of retailers that take back old fluorescent's and of the recycling firms, click here: Lamp Recyclers

Why Are Fluorescent Lamps Banned From The Landfill?
Fluorescent lamps contain mercury, one of the most hazardous substances in our homes. When the fluorescent lamps are put in a landfill the glass breaks and the mercury is released. The mercury is usually becomes part of leachate, the liquid that washes out of the bottom of the landfill. Landfills are designed with leachate collection systems. However, these systems can fail and the mercury containing leachate can leak into our groundwater. When the collection system works properly, the leachate is pumped to a sewerage treatment plant. Unfortunately, these plants cannot remove mercury and it gets released into our waterways.

Should I Still Use Fluorescent Lamps?
Definitely. Fluorescent lamps use less electricity and cut down on the mercury that is emitted from power plants. Anything we can do to reduce mercury emissions from power plants is very important. By using and then recycling fluorescent lamps you will be doing your part to keep mercury out of
our environment.

Recycle Mercury Thermostats (they have also been banned from the Dane County Landfill):
Thermostats containing mercury are also banned from landfills.
When you replace a thermostat, make sure you take the old thermostat back to the retailer where you purchased it. If you are having a thermostat replaced by a contractor make sure they will recycle the old one.

When you are replacing a thermostat plan to replace it with a digital one. Digital thermostats do not contain mercury and do a better job on controlling your furnace and/or air conditioner. This will help you reduce electrical or natural gas usage and save you money.

For more information on digital thermostats call Madison Gas and Electric at 252-7117 or visit their web site at www.mge.com.

Madison residents can also take mercury thermostats to Clean Sweep at 2602 Fish Hatchery Rd.
For information on Clean Sweep call 243-0368 or visit their web site at http://www.co.dane.wi.us/ems/cleansweep/cleansweep.htm