Fluorescent & LED Bulb Recycling In Illinois

BulbCycle makes recycling light bulbs and universal waste in Illinois easy with our mail-back kits for businesses and households.

Safely dispose of fluorescent tubes, CFLs, batteries, and e-waste today.

Buy Corporate Kits Now
Buy Residential Kits Now
recycle fluorescent tubes, lamps, LEDs, batteries and more universal waste in the State of Illinois
recycle universal waste with BulbCycle's recycling kit. One fee covers all costs!

About our Services

Whether you’re managing waste for a large office or a single household, BulbCycle offers tailored solutions to fit your needs.

Our corporate kits are ideal for businesses of all sizes, while our residential kits cater to individual households. Both options come with everything you need to safely pack and ship your universal waste for recycling. Visit our website to explore our range of kits and make a purchase today, contributing to a cleaner, greener Illinois.

Shop Kits Now

Mail-Back Kits

All of our kits have free shipping and are easy to pack and send

Compliance

Don’t worry about compliance–every order comes with a certificate of recycling

Corporate Kits

We provide a comprehensive solution for businesses to recycle responsibly

Residential Kits

A convenient way for households to be environmentally responsible

Corporate Kits

8ft Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Box LARGE 8-PACK, product 190cs

BulbCycle’s corporate recycling kits are designed to handle a variety of universal wastes, including fluorescent lamps, LEDs, batteries, e-waste, and more, providing a comprehensive solution for businesses to recycle responsibly.

Shop Corporate Kits

Residential Kits

.5 Gallon Dry Cell Battery Recycling Pail BulbCycle

Are you in a household, and have a big box of used batteries you aren’t sure how to get rid of? What about those fluorescent lamps piled in the garage corner? BulbCycle’s residential recycling kits make it easy to recycle universal wastes such as fluorescent lamps, LEDs, batteries, e-waste, and more, ensuring environmentally responsible disposal.

Shop Residential Kits

How it Works

Recycle your universal waste in 4 easy steps

Step 1 with BulbCycle - order your recycling kit based on the waste type you need to dispose

Order a certified recycling kit based on what you need to dispose of

Step 2 - Recycling with BulbCycle - we send you the kit and you fill it up at your convenience

We’ll send the kit to you – with free shipping! Fill it up at your own convenience

Step 3 - Recycling with BulbCycle - when your kit is full add your shipping label and call for pickup

When it’s full, add your included shipping label and call FedEx for pickup

Step 4 - recycling with BulbCycle - once your waste is disposed of we will provide you with a certificate of recycling

Once we receive the kit and dispose of the material you can access your Certificate of Recycling

Looking for Corporate Products?

Here are our top sellers

Want residential kits?

Check out our customer favorites

Our customers love us!

Thanks for the super quick delivery and great customer service. BulbCycle always comes through when we need them.

-Zachary H.

BulbCycle’s kits are easy to use and return shipping is included. What a deal!

-Bob C.

Fantastic customer service. Very easy for my crew to put the bulbs right into the boxes when we’re uninstalling them.

-Pedro G.

Why recycle?

Fluorescent and LED bulbs are commonly used in homes, businesses, and industries across Illinois, but their disposal can pose a significant environmental challenge.

Proper recycling of fluorescent and LED bulbs is crucial to prevent harmful chemicals, such as mercury, from leaking into the environment and to reduce landfill waste. At BulbCycle, we make recycling fluorescent, CFL, LED bulbs and more! easy and safe. If you’re wondering, “How do I dispose of fluorescent bulbs near me?” or “Where to recycle LED bulbs in Illinois?”—you’ve come to the right place.

Learn More →

Chicago Illinois recycle fluorescent lamps LEDs batteries

Illinois Regulations

Learn more about universal waste regulations in the state of Illinois at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency website.

In Illinois, the management and recycling of universal waste are governed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Illinois Pollution Control Board. Universal waste includes items such as batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and certain lamps, including fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps. These items are regulated due to their hazardous components, particularly mercury, which can pose environmental and health risks if not properly handled.

The Illinois Universal Waste Rule, amended on April 2, 1998, incorporates these lamps into its regulations to encourage proper recycling and disposal. This amendment aligns with the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations, streamlining the management of such hazardous wastes and promoting environmentally sound recycling practices.

Handlers of universal waste in Illinois are categorized based on the quantity of waste they manage. Small Quantity Handlers (SQGs) are permitted to accumulate universal waste for up to one year from the date of generation. During this period, they must ensure proper storage to prevent environmental contamination, such as placing mercury-containing equipment that shows evidence of leakage into appropriate containers.

The Illinois EPA highly recommends recycling fluorescent bulbs due to mercury concerns and requires it for many facilities throughout the state. The state allows the crushing of fluorescent bulbs, and crushed bulbs are considered universal waste, facilitating their management under universal waste regulations. Additionally, prepaid recycling by mail is permitted, providing a convenient option for compliant disposal.

large bin of used fluorescent tubes lamps recycle fluorescent tubes lamps LEDs

Why is Recycling Fluorescent & LED Bulbs Important?

Recycling fluorescent and LED bulbs properly is vital for several key reasons:

Protecting the Environment

Fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), contain mercury, a toxic substance that can contaminate soil and water if disposed of improperly. Recycling these bulbs prevents mercury from ending up in landfills and leaching into the environment.

Reducing Hazardous Waste

LED bulbs, while not as hazardous as fluorescent bulbs, still contain electronic components that need to be handled responsibly. Recycling both fluorescent and LED bulbs ensures that toxic materials are properly separated and do not contribute to hazardous waste buildup.

Resource Recovery

Fluorescent and LED bulbs contain valuable materials like glass, metals, and phosphor coatings that can be reused in the production of new bulbs or other products. Recycling helps conserve natural resources by reducing the need for virgin materials.

Illinois Regulations

Illinois has strict laws about the disposal of universal waste, including fluorescent and LED bulbs. Under the state’s hazardous waste regulations, these items must not be thrown away with regular trash. Recycling helps residents and businesses comply with the law and avoid fines.

Questions?

Call us today!

858-412-6536

At BulbCycle, we understand the importance of adhering to environmental regulations, which is why our kits ensure your waste is handled and recycled responsibly, minimizing harm to the environment.

Learn More →