Mercury Products Recycling
How do I recycle mercury products?
A mercury products recycling program has been established to help the citizens of Henderson County safely and properly remove mercury-containing materials from the home.
This program is for use by citizens of Henderson County only. As with other recycling programs conducted at the Convenience Center, commercial entities are asked to please reserve operations for residents. Private businesses should contact Environmental Programs for recommendations on properly disposing of mercury products.
Hours and Days of Operation
Monday through Saturday only -- 7:00am until 4:00pm
Henderson County Convenience Center, 265 Convenience Center Drive, Hendersonville NC 28791
Can I leave mercury products in front of the collection site if I don’t see a staff person?
We ask that you do not leave any mercury products outside of the collection facility at any time. It is important that citizens observe this request to help minimize accidental breakages that could harm environmental quality, humans, and wildlife.
Business and commercial entities can use the guide at the bottom of this page to properly recycle bulbs and other mercury containing devices.
Recyclable Mercury Products
Any lamp containing mercury (LCM):
- 1-4 ft. fluorescent tubes
- 5-8 ft. fluorescent tubes
- CFLs (compact fluorescent bulbs)
- U-shape or circular lamps
- HID lamps (high intensity discharge)
- LPS lamps (low pressure sodium)
- Halogen lamps
- Neon lamps
- UV lamps
- Shield lamps
- Projector lamps
- Flood, plastic-encased spots
- Other mercury lamps or bulbs
Any mercury containing device (MCD):
- Thermostats (wall-mounted)
- Thermometers
- Barometers
- Elemental or liquid
- Uncommon ballasts or capacitors*
- Less than 4 ft. - 2 or 4 bulb fixture
- Greater than 5 ft. - 2 or 4 bulb fixtures
*ballasts are regularly collected at the Convenience Center near the electronics and batteries
How should products be transported for recycling?
- Please do not tape fluorescent tubes together, even during transport.
- If you still have the original product containers, put the spent items back in the containers during transport.
- All items should be transported in the back seat or trunk of your vehicle, if possible, situated securely so they cannot roll around or be dislodged from the box during transport.
- The best way to get bulbs from your home to the Convenience Center is to carefully place them in a plastic or cardboard box with a tight fitting lid. Pack in between items with balled newspaper or other packaging materials.
- For multiple, small items: carefully wrap each item individually in newspaper and contain it in a plastic or cardboard box with a lid. You can also put these small items in airtight, sealed bags inside a box with a lid for transport as well.
- Be sure to label storage containers if you are collecting multiple products at home and waiting to recycle them when you have a larger load.
Are the bulbs containing mercury actually recycled?
Yes! Each part of the bulb can be recycled into a variety of things: mercury can be used again in new mercury containing products, the glass bulb itself can be crushed and made into new glass or cement-type materials, and the metal can be forged into new metal items.
Here are some videos to help you visualize the process of recycling mercury products: AirCycle Process Balcan Engineering Process
To learn more, refer to US EPA Mercury Recycling for information on CFLs, energy efficiency, and the importance of recycling mercury-containing materials. Further information about mercury can be found here.
