Throwing away LED light bulbs in the regular trash is a mistake. LED light bulbs use tiny microchips that conduct electric currents to make them light up. They have glass, metal parts, and plastic, which should be recycled. This guide explains how to recycle LED light bulbs.

How to Properly Dispose of Burnt-Out LED Light Bulbs
The good news is that LED light bulbs last a long time. Depending on the quality, residential LED bulbs can last up to 25,000 hours of use, while long-lasting commercial LED light bulbs have lifespans of up to 100,000 hours.
Check your recycling options
Recycle bin: Check your community's rules about what can be placed in a curbside recycle bin.
Drop Off: You may be able to drop LED light bulbs off at the local recycling center.
Special pick-up programs: On certain days, a recycler may pick up LED lightbulbs.
Go to the Store: Return the burnt-out bulbs to the store where you buy replacements.
How do LEDs compare environmentally with other types of light bulbs?
Feature | LED | Incandescent | Halogen | Compact Fluorescent |
Energy | Low energy use | Energy waster | Heat creates a fire risk | Moderate energy efficiency |
Lifespan | Long lifespan | Short lifespan | Short lifespan | Medium lifespan |
Toxic substances | Trace amounts of heavy metals in the microchip | No toxic substances | No toxic substances | Mercury |
LEDs use significantly less energy, reducing their carbon footprint. They last much longer, reduce waste, are free of toxic substances like mercury, and are increasingly recyclable––with advancements being made in electronic waste processing.
It goes without saying that switching to recyclable LEDs is the most environmentally sound choice for energy conservation and reducing pollution.

Tips for Recycling LED Light Bulbs
To recycle your used LED light bulbs, find out the recycling options in your community, and then prepare them for recycling.
National chains of “big box” stores, such as Home Depot, Lowes, and IKEA, have an LED light bulb recycling program. They also accept holiday string lights. If you want to recycle holiday string lights, be sure to remove them from any wire structure (such as a holiday tree or wreath) before recycling. Contact your local stores to find out if they have such a program for your community.
Your public works department, which manages trash pick-up and recycling, may have LED lightbulb recycling on certain days of the month.
To search for recycling options in your area, go online to Earth911 Recycling Locator or call 1(800)CLEANUP. Search for the type of material you want to recycle, such as LEDs, and your zip code to find the nearest recycling locations.
Recyclers may request that you put LED bulbs in a separate plastic bag to help prevent injuries to the recycling workers. Ask your recycler about any special requirements they may have for accepting LED light bulbs.
Why Can’t I Just Throw Used LED Lightbulbs in the Trash?

In America, it is not illegal to dispose of burnt-out LEDs in a trash landfill right now because the microchips they use contain only a tiny amount of toxins. However, it is better to recycle them.
In Europe, LED recycling is already mandatory, and it's possible that this may soon become a requirement in the USA as well.
LED light bulbs contain electronic circuitry like that found in computers. This special type of waste is called electronic waste (e-waste). Recyclers that process e-waste can salvage the circuit board in an LED light bulb.
Many communities find it beneficial to create an e-waste collection day and encourage their residents to drop off e-waste at the recycling center on those days. If your community does not have a program like this, you might be able to establish the idea, and NetZero Energy would be happy to help with your initiative.
The Future is Bright for LED Light Bulbs
NetZero Energy serves residential, commercial, and industrial clients in the Northwest (Oregon, Washington, and Alaska). We are committed to following best practices for environmental sustainability, including encouraging our clients to recycle used LED light bulbs.
If you need help with a new LED lighting system or upgrading an older lighting system to convert it to LEDS, please contact NetZero Energy to discuss your ideas.