Lightbulbs

Please note that households are exempt from the ordinary hazardous waste regulations, so there are no legal requirements for the management of hazardous waste lamps by households. Lamps discarded by households are also exempt from New York State’s Mercury-Added Consumer Products Law.

Please DO NOT put lightbulbs in the recycling bin.

There are some best practices that homeowners can use to protect themselves from broken lightbulbs:

• Carefully handle lamps when removing, installing or storing these bulbs to avoid breakage.
• Keep new bulbs in their original packaging until needed. Place used bulbs in rigid containers, like cardboard boxes and store away from areas where the box may be knocked over or crushed.
• Bring bulbs for recycling (where applicable) when you don’t need them anymore; avoid holding on to bulbs longer than necessary.

Contact a specialized lamp recycler, such as American Lamp Recycling at (845) 896-0058.

Contact: If you require assistance with a particular issue with hazardous lamps or light bulbs from a household, you may contact DEC for technical assistance by phone at (518) 402-8678 or by email at SWMFprogram@dec.ny.gov