Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent lamps have been touted for their energy efficiency and longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. However, each bulb contains a small amount of mercury, making their disposal an environmental issue. If thrown in with regular trash, broken bulbs could leach mercury into the groundwater, eventually contaminating our water supply. Fortunately, fluorescent bulbs can be recycled.

City of Durango's Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Program

Accepted bulbs: 

• fluorescent tubes
• U-shaped fluorescent bulbs and odd shaped fluorescent tubes

Fluorescent Bulbs are accepted at the Durango Recycle Center on Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm
Maximum of 8 bulbs accepted per drop-off

The following fees apply:

• $1.00 per four foot bulb and $2.00 per eight foot bulb (and oddly shaped bulbs).

Commercial Recycling: 

• Commercial quantities (more than 8 bulbs) no longer accepted
• Call 375-5004 for information on disposal

In addition, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL's) can be recycled elsewhere around the City of Durango free of charge.

The following local businesses accept spent, unbroken CFL's for recycling: