Illinois Fluorescent Ban 2027: Recycle Your Old Tubes
Illinois is phasing out fluorescent tubes. Where are your old ones going?
Starting January 1, 2027, new linear fluorescent tubes and pin-base CFLs can no longer be sold in Illinois. If you're doing an LED retrofit, you'll be pulling out a lot of mercury-containing lamps. BulbCycle ships you a prepaid recycling box. Fill it, send it back with the prepaid FedEx label, and get a certificate of recycling for your records.
Shop 4ft tube boxes Shop 8ft tube boxes Business & PO orders
4ft LARGE box: holds 146 T8 tubes
What the Illinois law changes
| Date | What can no longer be sold or distributed as new in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | Screw-base and bayonet-base compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) (already in effect) |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Pin-base CFLs and linear fluorescent lamps (such as T5, T8 and T12 tubes) |
The law (Public Act 103-0799, which added Section 21.8 to the Illinois Environmental Protection Act) covers the sale of new lamps. Lamps already installed can stay in use. But replacement tubes will become harder to find, which is why facilities across the state are switching to LED now. Some specialty lamps are exempt, including lamps for image capture and projection, certain UV and germicidal uses, medical and pharmaceutical uses, spectroscopy, and academic or research use. Until January 1, 2028, a fluorescent lamp can still be sold if there is no LED alternative for it.
Your old lamps still have to be handled properly. Fluorescent and HID lamps that count as hazardous waste are managed under the Illinois Universal Waste Rule (35 Ill. Adm. Code 733). Businesses can store spent lamps for up to one year and must send them to a facility that accepts universal-waste lamps. Prepaid recycling by mail is a compliant option.
What a retrofit leaves behind
Pick your box
4ft Tubes: LARGE
Holds 146 T8 or 68 T12 4ft lamps. T5s OK. About $0.96 per T8 tube, all-in.
$139.99
View box
4ft Tubes: 10-Pack
For whole-building retrofits: 1,460 T8 or 680 T12 lamps. Best per-lamp price.
$1,249.00
View 10-pack
Ballasts: 5-Gallon Bucket
Up to 22 non-PCB ballasts (55 lbs). Retrofits make plenty.
$139.99
View bucket
Every kit includes the container, free shipping to you, a prepaid FedEx return label, recycling, and an online certificate of recycling.
How it works
- Order online. No account needed, and shipping is free. Your kit ships in 5–10 business days.
- Fill it. Pack your spent lamps into the UN-rated, DOT-approved box with its vapor-barrier liner.
- Ship it back. Seal the box, attach the prepaid FedEx label, and drop it off or schedule a pickup.
- Get your certificate. Keep the certificate of recycling on file for inspectors, auditors, or your client.
Contractors & facility managers: bulk pricing
Running multiple retrofit jobs before January? Tell us your lamp counts and we'll recommend the right mix of boxes, quote multi-pack pricing, and invoice your PO. See business, school & government ordering for purchase orders, invoicing and W-9s.
Request a quote Business & PO orders Call (858) 412-6536BulbCycle is a woman-owned small business recycling universal waste since 2013, with over 1.3 million pounds recycled.
FAQ
Do I have to remove my fluorescent fixtures by 2027?
No. The Illinois law stops the sale of new fluorescent lamps. It doesn't require you to remove lamps that are already installed. Most facilities switch to LED because replacement tubes will get scarce.
Can I throw old tubes in the dumpster?
Businesses shouldn't. Fluorescent lamps contain mercury, and lamps that are hazardous waste must be managed under the Universal Waste Rule: sent to a facility that accepts universal-waste lamps, with breakage minimized. The Illinois EPA encourages households to recycle too.
How long can I store spent lamps?
Under the universal waste rules, a business can store spent lamps for up to one year from when they become waste, and should be able to show the start date. Mark the box with the date you add the first lamp.
Do LED tubes need recycling?
LED tubes don't contain mercury, but their circuit boards can contain lead solder, and some regulators treat them as potentially hazardous. Our 4ft LED box keeps everything on the safe side.
Do you serve all of Illinois?
Yes. We ship anywhere in the contiguous U.S., including every Illinois county.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Sources: Illinois Public Act 103-0799 (HB 2363, signed Aug. 9, 2024), Section 21.8 of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/21.8); Illinois EPA fluorescent lamp guidance; 35 Ill. Adm. Code 733. Check the Illinois EPA Bureau of Land (217-524-3300) for your specific situation.