Consumer Information: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)

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Guidelines for Managing Spent Fluorescent Light Bulbs 

For Businesses & Institutions
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For Consumers
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Find Mercury Product Recycling Drop-Off Locations

Google Maps Locator
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Guidance Cleaning Up Broken CFLs

For Businesses & Institutions
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For Consumers
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Massachusetts Mercury Management Act

Chapter 190 of the Acts of 2006 (amending M.G.L. Chapter 21H) requires end-of-life recycling of mercury-containing products, and bans the sale of some specific mercury products in Massachusetts. Manufacturers must notify the state of products with mercury content and establish collection and recycling programs. Makers of mercury-added lamps are not required to collect and recycle spent bulbs, but must educate the public about the need to recycle them. If specific lamp recycling targets are not met, lamp manufacturers must also make payments to a state-managed fund that would support municipal collection and recycling.

Web site: Massachusetts Legislature

Related Fact Sheet: Summary of the Law
MS Word 59 KB | PDF 45 KB

Certification Forms for Mercury-Added Lamp Manufacturers

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Education Plan: Proper Use & Disposal of Mercury-Added Lamps

Plan for educating consumers and municipalities about mercury lamp recycling, prepared by the Lamp Division of the National Electronics Manufacturers Association (NEMA).  Originally submitted to MassDEP in December 2006 as required by the Massachusetts Mercury Management Act.  Revised in June 2009.
MS Word 95 KB | PDF 59 KB

MassDEP Comment Letter to NEMA,  February 2007
Web page | MS Word 47 KB | PDF 60 KB

PLEASE NOTE: The Massachusetts Mercury Management Act does not require that MassDEP approve public education plans filed to comply with the statute.  However, MassDEP offered comments to NEMA on its plan in February 2007. Also, a study published by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in February 2008 has drawn attention to the small quantities of mercury found in compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The Maine study found that, when broken, CFLs release mercury vapor into the air, and detected, under some circumstances, mercury levels of potential concern to young children and pregnant women.  This study has led MassDEP to revise its guidance for using compact fluorescent lamps and for cleaning them up if they break.  NEMA's plan has not been revised to reflect the updated MassDEP guidance.

If trash from your community is delivered to one of the state's large incinerators, you may be eligible to participate in mercury diversion programs funded through that facility's tipping fees and outlined in its Material Separation Plan (MSP).
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Mercury Recycling Companies Serving Massachusetts

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Advisory to Businesses & Municipalities: Drum-Style Fluorescent Lamp Crushers

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