What is the best way to dispose of a used incandesecnt bulb?

Question

Should it just be thrown in the trash or is there a better way to get rid of it?

Also, if you know what do with a CFL -- which contains mercury -- that would be good information, as well.

Thank you :)

Answer 1

The standard bulbs with glass and metal have no hazardous component and can just go in the trash. They can't be recycled.

CFL lamps may have a minimal or a noticeable amount of mercury just like low-mercury or regular mercury fluorescent tubes. Newer ones have less mercury. Since they have a specified life of decades there really hasn't been much discussion yet about what to do if they have expired. If California makes them the only acceptable bulbs that will be a future issue.