Why recycle?

Using fluorescent lights is good for the environment -- and your budget -- because energy efficient fluorescents use only 25% of the energy of regular incandescent light bulbs, and they last up to 10 times as long. Best of all, fluorescent light bulbs are 100% recyclable right here in Missouri! However, if you are not recycling your old fluorescent bulbs, you are contributing to environmental pollution.

All fluorescent light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury gas. Every year in Missouri, over 3,000 tons of fluorescent lamps are disposed of in landfills releasing nearly 500 lbs. of mercury to the environment. Mercury is a neurotoxin that affects development of children and wildlife.

It’s the law! Missouri regulations require any business that generates more than “one or two lamps on an infrequent basis” to recycle lamps with a certified lamp recycler. Though householders and family farmers are exempt from these regulations, everyone is encouraged to recycle spent lamps to reduce environmental mercury. Up until now there have been few affordable options for recycling small numbers of lamps.