Fluorescent Bulbs

Homeowners should handle the bulbs safely and dispose of these bulbs in an environmentally safe way by delivering all fluorescent bulbs to the Authority’s EcoDrop Utica or EcoDrop Rome, or at one of the locations listed below.

Fluorescent light bulbs and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) contain mercury material and should be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner and not thrown in the trash or garbage. There are small amounts of mercury material in the CFLs that should not be released into the environment.

The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority has arranged for a number of sites where you can safely dispose of fluorescent tube and CFLs – compact fluorescent lights.  They contain mercury so they should NOT go in trash.

Homeowners should handle the bulbs safely and dispose of these bulbs in an environmentally safe way by delivering all fluorescent bulbs for proper disposal to:

  • The Authority’s EcoDrop Utica or EcoDrop Rome, (315) 733-1224
  • Jay-K Lumber store on Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford, (315) 735-4475
  • Town of Marcy Town Hall at 8801 Paul Becker Road, (315) 768-4800
  • Town of Marcy Mohawk Street Pump Station/Codes Enforcement Office on Scharbach Drive, (315) 736-0205
  • Ace Hardware Company of Rome at 115 Black River Blvd. in Rome, (315) 339-2223
  • City of Sherrill DPW Garage at 210 Elmwood Place in Sherrill, (315) 363-0370
  • City of Little Falls Waste Water Treatment Plant/Board of Public Works Office at 223 River Road in Little Falls, (315) 823-4626
  • Boonville Municipal Commission at 13169 State Route #12 in Boonville, (315) 942-4461

Watch the fluorescent light bulb video

IF YOU BREAK A FLUORESCENT BULB USE THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:

  1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
  2. Turn off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-up steps for hard surfaces:

  1. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealed container (such as a coffee can or pickle jar).
  2. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
  3. Wipe area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the sealed container.
  4. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up steps for carpeting or rug:

  1. Carefully pick up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealed container (such as coffee can or pickle jar).
  2. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
  3. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
  4. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister with a damp paper towel), and put the bag, vacuum debris and paper towel in a sealed container.

Disposal of clean-up materials:

  1. Immediately place all clean-up materials outside the building and then deliver the sealed containers to the Authority's Utica or Rome Convenience Station during normal business hours for proper disposal.
  2. Wash your hands after disposing of the containers/jars containing clean-up materials.

Future cleaning of carpeting or rugs:

  1. For at least the next few times you vacuum, turn off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
  2. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system turned off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

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