Recycle fluorescent bulbs and tubes!
Please properly dispose of fluorescents bulbs and tubes—it’s the law!
Did you know it’s illegal to throw a fluorescent bulb in the trash? The California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) banned fluorescent light bulbs and tubes from the trash in February 2006. Fluorescent bulbs and tubes contain mercury gas. Broken tubes/bulbs in a trash can or dumpster can create clouds of mercury gas that can linger around the area for hours, exposing anyone nearby to the harmful gas. For information about what to do if a fluorescent bulb breaks, click here.
Bring your fluorescents bulbs and tubes to the monthly Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Days at the landfill. 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.
In February 2006, the DTSC banned all Universal Waste (or u-waste) from the trash. U-waste includes electronics, batteries, cell phones and other mercury-containing devices.
Other emerging issues in hazardous materials management include pharmaceuticals, treated wood and lead in jewelry.
Want to recycle some u-waste? Click here for more information on how you can recycle cell phones, electronics, batteries and other hazardous waste in Davis.