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Light Bulbs

Mercury banned from the Trash

These products are banned from the trash**

  • Common batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, Cells, & button batteries)
  • Fluorescent tubes & bulbs, and mercury-containing lamps
  • Electrical switches and relays
  • Pilot light sensors & thermostats
  • Mercury gauges – barometers, manometers, blood pressure& vacuum gauges, & mercury thermometers
  • Novelties with mercury added– includes musical greeting cards, athletic shoes with flashing lights & mercury maze games

**These are accepted at the McCourtney Road Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

For Households:

  • McCourtney Road Transfer Station Hazardous Waste Facility
  • Washington Transfer Station - Batteries, fluorescent lights, used oil and filters only.
  • North San Juan Transfer Station - Batteries, fluorescent lights, used oil and filters only

* Drop-off during business hours only. McCourtney Road HHW drop off Friday - Sunday 8 - 3:30 pm only.
* Business lighting not accepted at the above locations. Business can make an appt for Disposal by calling 530-274-0120

For Businesses

Businesses can use prepaid mailing containers from lamp recyclers or contact a hauler for pickup. Appt can also be made for McCourtney Rd transfer station HHW by calling 530-274-0120.  Following is a partial list:

Mailing Containers:

Haulers:

  • Lamptracker ........................ 800.664.1434
  • Philip Services Corporation ....707.748.3040
  • Asbury Environmental ........... 800.727.2879

  • or visit: earth911.org for more information and for a list of additional venders such as, AERC, Veolia, Clean Harbors, etc.

Cleaning Up Broken Fluorescent Lamps

In the event of breakage, please follow these steps to minimize the risk of mercury exposure.

  1. Disperse the mercury vapor by opening windows or doors.
  2. Leave the area for 15 minutes to avoid inhaling mercury vapors.
  3. DO NOT VACUUM OR USE A BROOM AS DUST WILL BECOME AIRBORNE.
  4. Wear rubber gloves and use cardboard to scoop up broken glass and powder.
  5. Thoroughly wipe down area with a damp cloth or paper towel.
  6. Put all waste in a sealable bag, glass jar, or pail with a tight fitting lid.
  7. If you must vacuum the debris, only vacuum after cleaning up as much debris as possible.
  8. Recycle at McCourtney Road Transfer Station.

Light Emitting Diodes (LED)

  • Contains no mercury thus safer for the environment
  • Last longer (50,000 hours)
  • Uses 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs
  • Uses 50% less energy than fluorescent bulbs
  • Over the lifetime of one 12-watt LED bulb (equal to a 65 watt incandescent), save $265 or more on your electric bill.