Manhattan CFL Bulb Recycling Pilot Program

From 2009-2011, OROE partnered with Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer’s Go Green program to make CFL recycling available at neighborhood sites in East Harlem, Washington Heights and the Lower East Side, thanks to a grant from Next Level for Recycling.  This pilot program operated with the help of Go Green members in each community—Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, Hope Community and Green Depot—collecting 52 pounds, or about 200 bulbs at last count, with numbers still being tallied.  While this pilot program has ended, NMIC will continue a CFL recycling program on their own.  Green Depot and Hope Community are not accepting additional bulbs at this time.  

CFL Recycling Resources

Ikea – Recycle unbroken CFLs and old incandescent bulbs at Ikea in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Click here for a store locator.

Home Depot – Drop off expired, unbroken bulbs at the returns counter. Click here for a store locator.

Beacon Paint & Hardware - Accepts unbroken CFLs and tubes for free with purchase of new bulbs during store hours.  371 Amsterdam Ave.  [ M-F 7:30-6, Sat 9-5, Sun 11-5 ]

CFL Drop-Off Locators
Check for more recycling locations at www.recycleabulb.com and New York Energy $mart. 

NYC Department of Sanitation’s Special Waste Sites – Residents can recycle fluorescent tubes (up to 4 feet long) and CFLs. For more information, site hours and locations in all five boroughs click here.

Recycle in your Building - Many vendors offer mail-back recycling services. Visit www.lamprecycle.org to find resources.