Quick Answer
Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, so they need separate disposal from a dumpster or curbside trash. LED bulbs do not have this restriction.
Swapping out old fluorescent tubes or CFL bulbs during a Jacksonville renovation or garage cleanout turns up a disposal question most people have not thought about: these bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and cannot go in curbside trash or a roll-off dumpster. For everything else, book a 904 Dumpster roll-off online or call (904) 240-5598, and recycle the bulbs separately using the guide below.
Why Fluorescent Bulbs Can't Go in the Trash or a Dumpster
Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs use a small amount of mercury vapor to produce light. Broken in a trash bag, a collection truck, or a loaded dumpster, that mercury can release into the air. That is why fluorescent lighting is on the prohibited items list for most haulers, 904 Dumpster included. See our prohibited items list for the full rundown.
Where to Recycle Fluorescent Bulbs in Jacksonville
Home improvement retailers. Home Depot and Lowe's have historically run in-store CFL and fluorescent take-back recycling bins. Program availability can vary by store, so check with your local location before making a special trip.
Household hazardous waste collection. The City of Jacksonville Solid Waste Division runs household hazardous waste collection that accepts fluorescent bulbs and tubes for Duval County residents.
Electricians and lighting contractors. If a contractor is handling a larger lighting retrofit, ask whether they recycle the old fixtures as part of the job. Many electrical contractors already have a bulk-recycling relationship set up.
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Do LED Bulbs Need Special Disposal?
No. LED bulbs do not contain mercury, so they can go in regular curbside trash or directly in your roll-off dumpster along with general debris. This is a common point of confusion during a lighting upgrade: the fluorescent and CFL bulbs coming out need special handling, but the LED bulbs going in do not.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs contain mercury and are prohibited in roll-off dumpsters. Set them aside for recycling through a retailer take-back program or household hazardous waste collection.
Home Depot and Lowe's locations have historically offered in-store CFL recycling bins, though availability varies by store. The City of Jacksonville Solid Waste Division also handles household hazardous waste collection for Duval County residents.
No. LED bulbs do not contain mercury and can be thrown in regular trash or a dumpster along with the rest of your debris.
Ventilate the room, avoid vacuuming the area (which can spread mercury vapor), and carefully sweep up the pieces into a sealed container before taking them to a hazardous waste collection point rather than the trash.
Everything Else Goes in Your Roll-Off
Once fluorescent bulbs and tubes are set aside for proper recycling, book a 904 Dumpster roll-off online for the rest of your Jacksonville project, with flat-rate pricing from $299 and same-day delivery. Call (904) 240-5598 with questions.
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