How to Dispose of LED Bulbs

Co-authored by Marvin Woo and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: December 6, 2021

LED bulbs are a long-lasting and energy-efficient lighting choice. When one of these bulbs burns out, however, you may be left puzzling over what to do with it. The proper way to dispose of LED bulbs varies from one place to another, so get familiar with your local laws before pitching your old lights in the trash. In many places, you may also have the option to recycle your LED bulbs.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Throwing Away LED Bulbs

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Check your local laws about disposing of LED bulbs. LED bulbs do not contain mercury, so in many places they are considered safe to put in the regular trash.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Marvin Woo
Licensed Electrician
Expert Interview. 1 December 2021.} However, since they do contain small amounts of other hazardous chemicals (such as arsenic and lead), your area may require you to recycle your LED bulbs or dispose of them at a special facility.^{[2]
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Research source} Search online to find the laws for your area.
- For example, you could use search terms like “Can I throw away LED bulbs in Kane County, IL?”
- Check your local government website to see if they have information about waste disposal regulations.
2
Throw the bulbs in the garbage if you can legally do so. If it’s okay to do so, simply throw away your used LED bulbs along with your regular trash.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Marvin Woo
Licensed Electrician
Expert Interview. 1 December 2021.} Place them in plastic bags or wrap them up in waste paper to keep any sharp pieces from ripping through the garbage bag in case the bulbs break.^{[4]
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Research source}
- Keeping the bulbs contained can also help prevent any hazardous materials from escaping in case they break.
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3
Take the bulbs to a hazardous waste facility if necessary. If it’s against the law in your area to throw your LED bulbs in the regular trash, you may need to bring them to a special facility. Do a search for hazardous waste collection sites near you.^{[5]
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- Use search terms like “Hazardous waste collection facility near me.” Your local government’s website may also provide a list of collection sites in your area.
- You may need to follow a specific procedure for disposing of your bulbs at the facility. For example, you might be required to wrap the bulbs separately or put them in their original packaging. You might also need to present proof of residency.
- Contact the facility you plan to use and ask about their rules and regulations. Make sure they will accept LED bulbs.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Recycling LED Bulbs

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Do a search for a recycling facility in your area. Recycling is a great, eco-friendly option for disposing of old LED bulbs. Do an online search to find out if there are any facilities near you that will accept the bulbs.^{[6]
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- For example, you could do a search like “Recycle LED bulbs in Calgary, Alberta.”
- If you live in the U.S., you can use a website like Recyclenation.com or Earth911.com to search for recycling facilities by material in your zip code.
- Some hardware and home supply stores (such as IKEA) will accept bulbs for recycling, so you can also contact stores near you to find out if they will take your old LEDs.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Marvin Woo
  Licensed Electrician
  Expert Interview. 1 December 2021.}
2
Contact the facility to find out how to drop off the bulbs. If you find a facility in your area that will accept your LED bulbs, give them a call to find out if they have any special requirements. For example, they may want you to package the bulbs in a particular way before you drop them off.
- It’s also a good idea to double check that the facility will take LED bulbs before you bring them by, since information in online directories is not always accurate or up-to-date.
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Recycle the bulbs by mail if local facilities won’t take them. Some areas may not have recycling facilities that accept LED bulbs. Fortunately, there are some companies that will allow you to ship certain kinds of LED lights (usually holiday lights) to them for recycling.^{[8]
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- Some companies that accept mail-in LED holiday lights for recycling include HolidayLEDS and Environmental LED. These companies will recycle your lights for free.
- Contact the company to find out if they have any special requirements for packing and shipping your lights.