What should I do with fluorescent light bulbs?
Fluorescent light bulbs are classified as hazardous waste, and CANNOT be placed in the garbage.
CURBSIDE
Schedule a Recology Bulky Item Recycling pickup for free if you are a resident of San Francisco, and for a small fee for businesses. Residents receive 1-2 free pickups per year. Many Goodwill stores also accept working and non-working electronics.
DROP OFF
Drop off electronic waste at the SF Transfer Station. You can dispose of up to 30 electronic items per month for free if they are delivered without any other type of material. More than 30 items are charged at a rate of $1.50 per piece. If the electronics are mixed with trash, the regular Recology tipping fee applies.
Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescents can be disposed of for free at the SF Transfer Station for up to 30 lamps per month per customer. The fee for over 30 lamps per month is $3.00/lamp.
Request a Special Pick Up
Property managers, electrical lighting contractors and other businesses may want to establish a pick up service with fluorescent lamp recycling companies. See recyclewhere.org for a list of companies that can help.
Burnt out, regular incandescent bulbs are non-recyclable and go in the landfill Recology cart.
Fluorescents Drop off Locations Throughout San Francisco:
Fluorescent lamps from residents may be dropped off at neighborhood drop-of sites established by the City. All of these sites only accept fluorescent tubes and compact “curly cue” fluorescent bulbs. For a list of sites, visit recyclewhere.org.