Light Bulb Recycling

Compact fluorescent light bulbs and fluorescent tube lights contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use, and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly. However, they should be disposed of properly. Do not throw fluorescent bulbs away in your household garbage.

Bryan residents may dispose of fluorescent bulbs at Bryan Municipal Utilities, 841 East Edgerton St., Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no charge. Limit 10 bulbs per drop off.

Fluorescent bulbs accepted include:

• compact fluorescent bulbs
• fluorescent tubes up to 48 inches
  (Sorry, we cannot accept bulbs longer than 4 ft.)
• circular and U-shape bulbs
• no broken bulbs

This program is for residential customers only. Commercial and industrial customers please contact your bulb vendor or call the Williams County Health Department at 419-485-3141.

Broken Bulbs

Because there is only a small amount of mercury in fluorescent bulbs, your greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut from glass shards. There is no immediate health risk to you or your family if it is cleaned up properly. You can minimize any risks by following these clean-up and disposal guidelines:

• Sweep up, don't vacuum, all of the glass fragments and fine particles.
• Place the broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up any stray shards of glass or fine particles. Put the used towel in the plastic bag.
• Take the sealed bag containing the debris and put it into the outside trash.
• Wash your hands.
• Open windows to allow the room to ventilate.

Battery Recycling

Most household batteries are made up of heavy metals such as nickel, mercury and lead. Careless disposal of batteries is hazardous to the environment. The Bryan Recycle Center accepts household batteries (alkaline, nickel-cadmium, lithium, etc.) for recycling. There is a receptacle outside at the Recycle Center on Buffalo Road for the safe disposal of dry cell batteries.

Battery types accepted are AAA, AA, C, D, 9V, cell phone batteries, button batteries and rechargeable batteries. This includes batteries from laptop computers, power tools and other portable devices. To recycle, put tape over the terminals (required) and drop them into the box. Contact Recycle Center personnel to dispose of liquid or gel cell batteries. For more information, contact the Recycle Center between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. at 419-636-3382.