Fluorescent tubes (FLT's) and compact fluorescent lights (CFL's) can be disposed of in several locations around Lake County. They can be taken to any Household Chemical Waste (HCW) collection held throughout the year. HCW collections can be found in the Disposal Guide on this website.
The permanent HCW drop-off facility in Gurnee will take the FLT's and CFL's twice a month, by appointment. Please call 847.336.9340 ext. 0 or go to the HCW page of the Disposal Guide to make your own appointment.
FLT's and CFL's can also be taken to the electronic collection held year -round in Highland Park. This Electronic Collections can be found in the Disposal Guide.
Some area Home Depots and Ace Hardware stores are accepting fluorescent lights for disposal. Please contact your local store before taking in your lights.
Although commercially generated fluorescent lamps are required by law to be handled separately from solid waste, residents are allowed to dispose of them with the rest of their household garbage. SWALCO does, however, encourage proper and safe fluorescent bulb disposal from residents at our HCW collection events. Please see the schedule of HCW collection events.
CFL's do contain trace amounts of mercury. For instructions on what to do if a fluorescent or other mercury-containing bulb breaks visit the EPA's Page.
Businesses should consult the following resources for more information:
Fluorecycle (815.363.4411)
www.Lamprecycle.org
Air Cycle (800.909.9709)
IEPA http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/fluorescent-lamps/index.html
