There are four types of light bulbs, each with pros and cons and different recycling options.
1. Incandescent
These are the cheapest light bulbs, but they last the shortest amount of time (usually less than a year). A lot of the energy produced is given off as heat- the surface temperature of an incandescent bulb can reach 335 degrees Fahrenheit! To see where these can be recycled near you, enter "incandescent lightbulbs" and your zip code at Earth911's website. Note that inclusion on this website's list does not imply recommendation by the city.
2. Halogen
These bulbs are slightly more energy efficient than incandescent and last 1-3 years. They use 3/4 the amount of energy of incandescent bulbs. Ecocycle recommends that halogen bulbs be safely disposed of in the trash by wrapping them in a box to prevent breakage. Europe actually banned halogen bulbs in September 2018.
3. Compact Fluorescent (CFL's)
These bulbs are more energy-efficient than incandescent but cheaper than LED. They typically last 6-10 years and use 1/3 the amount of energy of incandescent bulbs. CFLs lose less energy to heat, only reaching about 131 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is important to note that they contain the toxic chemical MERCURY, so it is important that they be disposed of properly. If one breaks in your home, follow the EPA's protocol to safely manage the situation. To see where these can be recycled near you, enter "CFLs" and your zip code at Earth911's website. Note that inclusion on this website's list does not imply recommendation by the city.
4. Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
These are the most energy-efficient bulbs despite a higher initial cost per bulb. One bulb typically lasts 15-20+ years and uses 1/6 the amount of energy of an incandescent bulb, and half the energy of a CFL bulb. The temperature only reaches 87 degrees Fahrenheit. A lot of governments and businesses are phasing out incandescent bulbs and switching to LED to save money in the long run.