Compact Fluorescents - how to dispose of them

From an environmental perspective, Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (or CFLs) are better than old, incandescent bulbs. They use less energy - switching five old bulbs to CFLs reduces carbon emissions by 530 lbs/year and saves $50/year. CFLs are an integral part of the energy challenge and the Climate Change grants the City has given to community organizations to reduce CO2 and save residents money.



They have one achilles heel: each bulb contains a small amount of mercury.



But the City and County are working with Xcel Energy and local hardware stores to make disposing of CFLs easy and safe.



The County has some Household Hazardous Waste collection dates and locations coming up:


August 9-11, 9am to 4pm

Pillsbury Elementary SchoolTeacher Parking Lot

2231 Garfield St. NE, Minneapolis



September 20-22, 9am to 4pm
Snelling Avenue Garage
3607 E. 44th Street, Minneapolis


Local hardware stores also accept CFLs back for a reasonable fee ($.75 - $1.25, depending on the size of the bulb). Residents can go here to print out coupons from Xcel Energy for 50 cents off on returning bulbs to participating hardware stores (including Welna II in Seward):


I believe that as CFLs catch on, the City will have to move towards collecting them through the Solid Waste and Recycling department - we currently collect used batteries, for instance. For now, I hope that one of the existing options will work for you.