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Download SWANCC's Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb Recycling Program Brochure |
The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) is sponsoring a recycling program for residentially-generated spent Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) from SWANCC member community residents’ households. No commercial or institutional waste will be accepted and IDs will be checked.
Each CFL contains a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams (roughly equivalent to the tip of a ball-point pen). Because mercury poses potential health risks, the CFLs should not be disposed of in the garbage if there is a recycling option.
Download SWANCC's Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb Recycling Program Brochure.
There are other venues for recycling of CFL bulbs in the region outside of SWANCC's program. See details.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it true that CFLs contain mercury? Why and how much?
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing - an average of 5 milligrams (roughly equivalent to the tip of a ball-point pen). Mercury is an essential irreplaceable element in CFLs and is what allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. By comparison, older home thermometers contain 500 milligrams of mercury and many manual thermostats contain up to 3000 milligrams. It would take between 100 and 600 CFLs to equal those amounts.
There is currently no substitute for mercury in CFLs; however, manufacturers have taken significant steps to reduce mercury used in ther fluorescent lighting products over the past decade.
Should I be concerned about using CFLs in my home?
CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly. However, CFLs are made of glass tubing and can break if dropped or roughly handled. Be careful when removing the lamp from its packaging, installing it or replacing it. Always screw and unscrew the lamp by its base and never forcefully twist the CFL into a light socket by its tubes. Used CFLs should be disposed of properly using the guides above.
What should I do if a CFL breaks?
Because there is such a small amount of mercury in CFLs, your greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut from glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk to you or your family should a bulb break and it is cleaned up properly. You can minimize any risks by following these proper cleanup and disposal guidelines:
• Sweep up — do not vacuum — all of the glass fragments and fine particles.
• Place broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the
area with a damp paper towel to pick up any stray shards
of glass or fine particles. Put the used towel in the plastic bag as well.
• If the weather permits, open windows to allow the room to ventilate.
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Arlington Heights |
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Village Hall |
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33 S Arlington Heights Rd. |
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(847) 368-5760 |
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M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Barrington |
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Village Hall |
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200 S Hough St |
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(847) 381-7903 |
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M-F 8:00am – 4:30pm |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Public Works |
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300 N Raymond Ave |
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(847) 381-7903 |
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M-F 7:00am – 3:30 pm |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Public Safety Building |
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400 N. Northwest Highway |
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(847) 381-7903 |
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24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Buffalo Grove |
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Village Hall |
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Health Department (downstairs) and Finance Department (upstairs) |
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50 Raupp Blvd |
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(847) 459-2530 |
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M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Elk Grove Village |
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Village Hall - Health and Community Services Office |
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901 Wellington |
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(847) 357-4240 |
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M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Evanston |
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Civic Center (ground floor) |
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2100 Ridge Ave |
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(847) 866-2948 |
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M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Ecology Center |
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2024 McCormick Blvd |
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(847) 448-8256 |
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M-F 9:00 am - 4:30 pm |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Glencoe |
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Public Works Garage |
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320 Hazel Ave |
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(847) 835-4111 |
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M-F 8:00 am - 4:00 pm |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Glenview |
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Village Hall |
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1225 Waukegan Rd |
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(847) 657-3030 |
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M-F 8:00 am - 4:00 pm |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Hoffman Estates |
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Village Hall |
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1900 Hassell Rd |
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(847) 882-9100 |
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M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Kenilworth |
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Village Hall |
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419 Richmond Road |
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(847) 251-1666 x104 |
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M - F 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Lincolnwood |
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Fire Department |
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6900 North Lincoln Avenue |
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(847) 675-0888 |
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M-F 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Saturday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Morton Grove |
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Village Hall |
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6101 Capulina |
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(847) 470-5221 |
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M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm and Thursdays until 8:00 pm |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Mount Prospect |
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Public Works |
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1700 W. Central Road |
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(847) 870-5640 |
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M-F 7:30 am. - 5:00 pm. |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Niles |
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Niles Public Services Department |
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6849 Touhy Ave |
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(847) 588-7900 |
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M-F 7:00 am - 3:30 pm |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Niles Senior Center |
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999 Civic Center Dr |
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(847) 588-8420 |
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M-F 8:30 - 5:00 pm |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Palatine |
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Village Hall - Environmental Health Division |
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200 E Wood St |
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(847) 359-9090 |
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M-F 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Only accepting CFLs from Palatine residents. |
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Park Ridge |
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City Hall - second floor |
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505 Butler Pl |
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(847) 318-5319 |
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First Thursday of each month, from 8:00 - 11:00 am. |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Prospect Heights |
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City Hall |
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8 N Elmhurst Road |
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(847) 398-6070, ext. 206 |
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Monday/Wednesday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Rolling Meadows |
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Public Works Department |
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3900 Berdnick St |
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(847) 963-0500 |
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M-F 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Skokie |
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Village Hall |
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(847) 673-0500 |
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M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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South Barrington |
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Village Hall |
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30 South Barrington Rd |
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(847) 381-7510 |
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M-F 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Wheeling |
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Public Works |
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233 W Hintz Rd |
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(847) 229-4626 |
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M-F 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. |
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Not accepting 4' lights. |
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Wilmette |
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Wilmette Health Department - 2nd Floor of Village Hall |
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1200 Wilmette Avenue |
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(847) 853-7503 |
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Second Tuesday of every month ONLY 7:30 am - 4:00 pm. |
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Will take 4' lights. |
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Winnetka |
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Public Works Building |
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1390 Willow Rd |
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(847) 501-6029 |
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M-F 7:00 am - 3:00 pm. |
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Will take 4' lights. |