How do I properly dispose of Compact fluorescent lights?

Question

They contain Mercury. I don't want to throw them in the trash in case they break. Isn't that bad for the environment?

Answer 1

The States of California, Vermont, and Minnesota now ban all mercury containing products from landfills. While designed to prevent mercury-laden devices like old thermometers and thermostats, which contain 100 to 400 times as much mercury, the laws also cover products like CFLs that contain only very minute amounts of mercury. As a result, customers must find more appropriate ways to dispose of CFLs.

The necessary infrastructure to recycle CFLs is only now beginning to emerge. Until it matures, consumers are encouraged to dispose of CFLs (and any product containing mercury or lead) in local household hazardous waste disposal facilities. Visit www.govinfo.bz/5969-110 for information on recycling or disposing of CFLs.

Despite these concerns, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the vast majority of environmental organizations strongly encourage the transition to CFLs because they actually help reduce overall mercury emissions.

Answer 2

If you need to dispose of a CLF lamp in the UK, contact your local council environmental services department, you can find their details at http://www.direct.gov.uk

If you need to dispose of a CFL bulb in the USA, the EPA advise you to visit http://www.earth911.org If details for your area are unavailable please contact your local authority for more information.

If you live near an IKEA store (http://www.ikea.com), why not give them a call they offer CFL recycling bins in stores across the world. In their fiscal 2006 year, IKEA recycled 156,301 pounds of CFLs. Notably, the IKEA CFL recycling program was recently singled out for recognition at a March 20th press conference held by Connecticut State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Blumenthal is trying to persuade other big chain stores to do the same.

Energy Saver
http://howtosaveenergy.blogspot.com

Answer 3

Wait until your community has a hazardous waste amnesty day and take them there then. Most of these events are sponsored by your state department of environmental quality.

Answer 4

home depot, ikea, and several other big chains collect them for safe disposal and recycling. hope that helps.

Answer 5

i think if you send them to y!a they'll send them back to us with the new promotion they've got going..... or you can save them and take them a local recycling center, as they have the means to deal with them.....