Proper
CFL disposal is important
Compact fluorescent
light bulbs and
proper disposal
 Proper CFL disposal is
important simply because compact fluorescent light bulbs contain small
amounts of
mercury.
Energy savings minded consumers are making the
switch to CFL light bulbs every day.
But unfortunately some homeowners are still
unaware of how to properly dispose of them.
Don't simply trash
CFL light bulbs
Unlike with traditional bulbs,
used CFL's should not be thrown away in the trash can. In fact in some
states, counties and cities this practice has become illegal.
Each bulb only contains a small amount of mercury
within the tubes, so it's important to stress that CFL's are in fact
very safe for home use.
However, if compact fluorescent light
bulbs are simply
thrown away, the tubes of the bulbs are likely to break before they
even reach local landfills. And all the bulbs and all the mercury will
eventually add up, causing a potential serious environmental problem.
CFL recycling
CFL recycling is the best way to dispose of used
compact fluorescent bulbs. And thankfully some major and local
retailers recognize the potential problem and have developed in store
CFL drop off and recycling programs. IKEA
and The Home Depot have CFL recycling centers in every store.
Homeowners can receive assistance finding local
CFL recycling centers. Earth911 is a great website that assists
homeowners find local CFL disposal and recycling centers. Simply enter
what you wish to recycle and then your zip code.
It's also a good idea to recycle your energy star
light bulbs in bulk. Since CFL light bulbs last about 10 times longer
than traditional bulbs, you won't be making many trips to a recycling
center near you.
Handle broken
CFL bulbs with care
Even though CFL's contain only small traces of mercury, you
still should handle broken bulbs with a certain amount of care.
If one or more of your energy efficient light
bulbs
accidently break in your home before they burn out, use the simple
clean up procedure recommended by the
Environmental Protection Agency.
|
