What to do with Florescent Light Bulbs, Mercury Thermostats & Electronic Devices
Did you know it’s illegal to throw a fluorescent bulb in the trash? In February 2006, the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) banned all Universal Waste (or u-waste) from the trash. U-waste includes electronics, batteries, cell phones and other mercury-containing devices.
Electronics
Electronics are accepted at the Yolo County Central Landfill for recycling free of charge Mon-Sat 6:30am-4pm and Sun 9am-5pm. For more information about electronic recycling, call (530) 666-8856.
Fluorescent bulbs and tubes
Fluorescent bulbs and tubes contain mercury. Broken tubes/bulbs in a trash can or dumpster can create clouds of mercury vapor that can linger around the area for hours, exposing anyone nearby to the harmful chemical. For information about what to do if a fluorescent bulb breaks, click here.
The Yolo County Central Landfill will accept fluorescent bulbs and tubes for proper disposal every day during normal operating hours. Bring the fluorescent bulbs and tubes to the scale house. There is a $2.00 convenience charge regardless of the number of bulbs/tubes you bring in. Residents can also bring fluorescent bulbs and tubes to the monthly Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Days at the landfill for free disposal. Other household hazardous wastes such as cleaning agents, propane cylinders, and pesticides can also be disposed of during a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day at the landfill. Davis Ace Hardware no longer accepts fluorescent bulbs and tubes for recycling. They were taking the bulbs and tubes back for a short time because of a hazardous waste grant received by Yolo County from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
Mercury Containing Devices
Some universal wastes, like mercury fever thermometers and other devices that contain liquid mercury, are hazardous because they contain enough mercury to pose a health risk. mercury containing items include: mercury thermostats, mercury switches. mercury thermometers and mercury-added novelties (including practical joke items, figurines, jewelry, toys, games, greeting cards that play music, ornaments, yard statues and figures, candles, holiday decorations, and shoes with lights). In January 1, 2003, the California Mercury Reduction Act banned sale of mercury-added novelties in this state, but some people still have them in their homes.
- More information about items that may contain mercury
- Mercury containing devices can be brought to the monthly Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Days at the landfill.
- More information about Universal waste is available on the DTSC website here, and here.
- Not sure if something you have is HHW? Check our Recyclopedia
- Other emerging issues in hazardous materials management include pharmaceuticals, treated wood and lead in jewelry.
Business Hazardous Waste
Does your business generate hazardous waste? Do you have batteries, fluorescent light bulbs/tubes or electronics that need to be disposed of? These items, called Universal waste or U-Waste, cannot be thrown away in the trash. For more information, check out our U-Waste Guide. If your business generates other hazardous materials such as paint, pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals, the Yolo County Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Program may be the easiest way for your business to properly dispose of its hazardous waste.