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Recycle Bulbs

Recycle light bulbs safely at convenient drop-off locations throughout Marin County.

Some bulbs contain mercury and should not be placed in the trash. Recycle them through the HHW Facilities or participating Bulb & Battery Take-Back Program locations.

Why Proper Disposal Matters

Icon: recycle symbol in circle

Recycle Smart

Many bulbs contain materials that require special handling.

Icon: water drop in a circle for conservation

Keep Mercury Out

Keep hazardous materials out of landfills and waterways.

Icon: circular arrows in a circle for reuse

Give Materials a Second Life

Glass, metals, and other materials can be made into new products.

Accepted Bulb Types

LED Light Bulbs

HHW examples of LED bulbs

CFL & Fluorescent Tubes

HHW Examples of CFL and Fluorescent tube bulbs

Halogen Bulbs

HHW Examples of Halogen bulbs

How to Recycle Bulbs

  • Do This

  • Keep bulbs intact whenever possible.
  • Transport bulbs carefully to prevent breakage.

  • Don't Do This

  • Don’t place bulbs in trash, recycling, or organics carts.
  • Don’t take broken bulbs to retail take-back locations.

Important: Broken or damaged bulbs are not accepted at participating Bulb & Battery Take-Back locations. Please take broken or damaged fluorescent tubes, CFLs, and other household bulbs to a Marin County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility for safe disposal.

Where to Recycle Bulbs

In addition to the San Rafael or Novato Household Hazardous Waste Facilities, bulbs may be recycled at the following Bulb & Battery Take-Back locations.

Please keep bulbs intact and transport carefully to prevent breakage.

Goodman Building Supply
775 Redwood Hwy.
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-6233

Tamalpais Community Services District
305 Bell Lane
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-6393

Marin Ace Hardware
180 Merrydale Rd.
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 479-9393

Jackson’s Hardware
435 Du Bois St.
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 454-3740

Point Reyes Building Supply & Hardware
11280 Hwy 1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
(415) 663-1737

Waterstreet Company
318 Caledonia St.
Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 332-4318

Broken or Damaged Bulbs:
Take to a Household Hazardous Waste Facility

Broken or damaged bulbs are not accepted at retail or community drop-off locations. For safe handling and proper disposal, take them to one of Marin County’s Household Hazardous Waste Facilities

San Rafael HHW Facility

  • Marin residents (except Novato)
  • Marin businesses by appointment (fees may apply)
  • 565 Jacoby Street
    San Rafael, CA 94901
  • (415) 456-2665
  • Residential Hours
    Tuesday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    Closed Sunday & Monday
  • Business Hours (by appointment only)
    Tuesday & Wednesday, 8:00am - 3:00pm
Visit the San Rafael HHW Facility Website

Novato HHW Facility

  • Novato residents only
  • Novato businesses by appointment (fees may apply)
  • 7576 Redwood Blvd
    Novato, CA 94945
  • (415) 892-7344
  • Residential Hours
    Open four days a month. See website for dates.
  • Business Hours by appointment only
Visit the Novato HHW Facility Website

Bulb Recycling for Businesses

Businesses are not eligible to use the Bulb and Battery Take-Back Program locations listed above.

Businesses may recycle bulbs through the San Rafael or Novato Household Hazardous Waste Facilities (appointments and fees may apply).

IMPORTANT DISPOSAL NOTICE


Do Not Place Bulbs in Curbside Carts

Household bulbs are prohibited from disposal in trash, recycling, and organics carts. To help prevent fires and protect the environment, recycle them at a Household Hazardous Waste Facility or a participating Bulb & Battery Take-Back Program location.