GSIA’s FNSB Recycling (and reuse) Guide

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Light bulbs (compact fluorescent)

Electronics
Recycle

Accepted at 2 locations

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are energy-efficient light bulbs that contain a small amount of mercury, about 3-4 milligrams each, sealed within the glass tubing.

Source: 19january2021snapshot.epa.gov : Recycling and Disposal of CFLs and Other Bulbs that Contain Mercury | Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) | US EPA (3)

Light bulbs (compact fluorescent) Summary

Also known as: CFL, Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Parent material: Light Bulbs

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Accepted Locations

Green Star of Interior Alaska logo
Green Star of Interior Alaska This location loves volunteers!
Recycle
ResidentialBusiness
Address: 2134 Texaco Ave Suite A, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Office: Mon-Thu 9am-2pm; Electronics Sales: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 1pm-5pm
DoHandle carefully; keep intact
Don'tNo broken bulbs
See details ›

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Home Depot - Fairbanks
Recycle
ResidentialBusiness
Address: 1301 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm; Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
DoHandle carefully; keep intact
Don'tNo broken bulbs
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

About Light bulbs (compact fluorescent)

What it is

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, about 3-4 milligrams each, sealed within the glass tubing. As with many household items such as paints, cleaners, and pesticides, CFLs should be handled properly and disposed of according to state requirements, and EPA encourages consumers to recycle their spent CFLs to protect human health and avoid unsafe releases to the environment.(1, 3, 4, 5, 6)

How it’s recycled

Recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs allows reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights, and virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.(1, 3, 4)

How to prepare it

Store fluorescent light bulbs in containers that prevent them from breaking, such as in their original boxes, boxes from replacement bulbs, or containers supplied by fluorescent light bulb recyclers, as recyclers generally require that the light bulbs arrive unbroken.(1, 3, 4)

Common mistakes

Vacuuming is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken, as vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor. CFLs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor.(1, 3, 4)

Environmental impact

Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment, as CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. Using energy-saving CFLs instead of incandescent bulbs reduces demand for electricity, which in turn reduces the amount of coal burned by power plants, which reduces emissions of mercury when the coal is burned.(3, 4, 5, 6)

Did you know?

Although CFLs do contain mercury in trace amounts of about five milligrams, it would take 100 CFLs to equal the amount of mercury contained in older thermometers, which is about 500 milligrams.(1, 5, 6)

Sources & additional reading

  1. Don’t be left in the dark. Safely clean up and recycle CFLs. EPA530-f-11-001 epa.gov
  2. 01/29/2009: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Do Energy-savings Outweigh Mercury Hazard? epa.gov
  3. Recycling and Disposal of CFLs and Other Bulbs that Contain Mercury | Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) | US EPA 19january2021snapshot.epa.gov
  4. Recycling and Disposal of CFLs and Other Bulbs that Contain Mercury | US EPA epa.gov
  5. What are the Connections between Mercury and CFLs? | US EPA epa.gov
  6. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) | US EPA epa.gov
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See all locations52
Address: 2128 Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-3pm

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 975 Van Horn Road, Suite 6 Suite 6, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3598 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM-12:00 AM, Sun 10:00 AM-11:00 PM

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2925 Newby Rd, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›

The center processes approximately 40,000 pairs of eyeglasses per year and sends out approximately 30,000 to eye care missions. The Lions ship glasses recycled at their Aurora Borealis Lions Eyeglass Recycling Facility…

Last updated on June 25, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3027 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00 AM-7:00 PM, Sun 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›

Contact business for details about collection and dropoff options.

Last updated on May 31, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 401 E Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

To secure a precise quote for your exact material (whether it is structural steel, pipe, sheet metal, or non-ferrous scrap), it is best to contact them directly.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Chena Tool Library This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 1917 Lillian Street, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Wednesday 3pm-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm

A tool library is just what it sounds like: a place for community members to share resources, learn from each other, and check out tools for their own projects. The sharing economy…

Last updated on July 2, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 32 College Rd., Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2226 Old Steese Hwy N Y, Fairbanks, AK 99712 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 805 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Drop box is located near the Northwest corner of the parking lot just West of the welcome center.

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1910 Tanana Lp E, Fairbanks, AK 99775 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1650 Cowles St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 725 26th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701-2377 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sat 10:00am-2:00pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Fairbanks Rescue Mission This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 723 27th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 9am-5pm M-F

The Fairbanks Rescue Mission serves over 100 people a day and are in constant need of the following items: Men’s/ Women’s t-shirts & underwear (New) sm, med , l, xl Men’s Jeans…

Last updated on June 22, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 505 Old Steese Hwy, Ste 126, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF) This location loves volunteers!

Recycling FacilityFNSB residents and businesses only
See location details ›
Address: 1855 Marika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm, Closed Sunday-Monday

The FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF) is an FNSB Solid Waste provided service for FNSB residents and businesses / organizations only. The CRF is funded via the FNSB Enterprise Fund (landfill tipping…

Last updated on July 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 455 Sanduri Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm; closed New Year's, Thanksgiving, Christmas

The FNSB Sanitary Landfill also serves as the transfer sites for FNSB residents living inside the City of Fairbanks.

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 889 Holmes Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 5749 Old Chatanika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 13, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2395 Old Chena Ridge Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2535 Little Shot Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 Old Steese Highway N, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-10pm

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2180 Farmers Loop Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 284 Goldstream Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3485 Old Richardson Highway, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2740 Old Richardson Highway, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 901 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›

The mission of BRIDGE is to assist young adults with developmental disabilities in gaining skills, knowledge and appropriate behaviors to become successful individuals, citizens and workers in the community.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 930 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6:00 am - 11:00 pm

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3755 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Green Star of Interior Alaska This location loves volunteers!

NonprofitInterior Alaska
See location details ›
Address: 2134 Texaco Ave Suite A, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Office: Mon-Thu 9am-2pm; Electronics Sales: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 1pm-5pm

Home of the Green Star electronics recycling warehouse and our Reuse IT discounted refurbished electronics store, Repair IT desktop and laptop repair, Rebuild IT computer building classes and Reboot IT technology grants.

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1301 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm; Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm

Take compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) to staff at self-checkout lane if service desk attendants do not know where they belong.

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Literacy Council - Forget-me-not Books This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 2216 S. Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11:00am-5:30pm

Last updated on July 2, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1550 Spur Ct., North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5pm

Formerly Chena Power / K & K Recycling

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 30 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3755 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 138 10th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 24/7

Last updated on June 22, 2026 by Green Star GM

The Folk School This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: Pioneer Park, Cabin 66, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: By appointment or class schedule

Last updated on July 1, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1651 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00am-7:00pm, Sat-Sun 10:00am-6:00pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2222 S Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 5:30pm

Acceptable items: Clean Clothing Linens and towels Clothing accessories: belts, ties, scarves, hats Small appliances Clean shoes, boots, sandals, etc. Vehicles with titles Toys, games, puzzles Eye glasses Books, DVD'S, VHS's, Cassette…

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM


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