Hazardous Waste Symbol Picture by Francisco Javier Argel at http://www.flickr.com/photos/totoro_zine/2062522813/

Hazardous Waste Warning

Wastes in this section are dangerous to you and the environment. Handle them carefully and dispose of them properly. Legally, households may not transport more than 15 gallons of wet or 125 pounds of dry hazardous materials. Read about the regulation.

Light-Emitting Diodes, or LEDs, are becoming an increasingly popular choice in lighting due to their longevity and high energy efficiency. And unlike fluorescent bulbs, they do not contain any mercury, which is a huge bonus.

So what do we do with spent LED bulbs? While they do contain some heavy metals, such as lead and copper, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control has not classified spent LEDs as hazardous waste.

To err on the side of caution, some household hazardous waste collection centers, such as the Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center on the UCSB campus, will accept them. Please call your local center ahead of time to confirm.

In the absence of a local collection site, at this time residents can legally throw LEDs in the trash.

Where to go

Related Materials

Related Articles