OK, so now, what do I DO with all these CFL bulbs the Yamster gave me?

Question

With last night's delivery, I now have 8 of them -- and my house is already totally converted to CFL. So, how about some "creative" ways to get these bonus bulbs out to some other folks to give them a try? Any good suggestions?

Zynworx, wish you had email! You may need to shop online for dimmables: http://www.energy-superstore.com/?gclid=CMSjvJuXjI4CFRdrUAodLGKIPA
Reviews are here: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=634&campaign=mts&bulbID=6
Or, I was told that you can find these more easily in LIGHTING stores that specialize in all types of lamps, etc., exclusively, rather than generic hardware stores.

Thanks for all the wonderful answers, so far.

Answer 1

I'd be curious as to how you got 8. I got one, and even that one I can't use as I had already converted all fixtures that I could. Now they have 3-way, dimmer and halogen friendly CFL's, which I have yet to find. (I saw maybe 1 halogen left hanging in a grocery store of all places, but it looked too big for any halogen fixtures I have). I'm esp. interested in the dimmer ones as I have one fixture I could replace 3 bulbs in. Home Depot didn't have them. Just a brochure that said they existed. And now all these bulbs can be found with the spiral shape inside a round bulb-like cover... looks a little more "normal". I have several of those.

As to what to do with all those extras you were lucky enough to acquire, I'd suggest donating them. Pick a place that maybe you can relate to. Has someone in your family been in a nursing home? Maybe a local facility of that nature could use them. Or maybe a senior housing complex. I'm sure there are some folks who would be happy to lower their electric bills. A nursery school? Good luck with that!

Answer 2

Yes caring for the planet does tend to be inconvenient doesn't it? Kinda makes you long for the days when we could just dump any kind of waste anywhere. Oh wait, we tried that, it was called Love Canal! (See first link) I don't like the idea of having to clean up after a broken CFL either but I'm willing to do it for the sake of my daughter and the children she will have one day. It helps that there's a simple 20 dollar kit you can use that contains everything you need to do the clean up. (See second link) It's also worth noting that CFL's are much more ruggedly constructed than incandescents, hence they're less likely to break. I used to work as a chemist and I have manipulated molten glass many times and I can tell you that the glass used to make CFL tubes is about three times thicker than the material used to make an incandescent globe. Too much has been made of the TINY amount of mercury contained in CFL's. The third link will take you to a very informative article about CFL's and mercury. The title of the article is "IDEAS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING: The truth about compact fluorescent lights" and it's an eye opener! For instance, I'll bet you didn't know that the main source of mercury in the environment, including our lakes, streams, oceans, rivers, air and soil comes from coal fired power plants that generate FIFTY TWO PERCENT of ALL the electricity generated in the US. In so doing, they release a whopping 104 METRIC TONS or mercury into the environment per year! The article goes on to say that if all our incandescent bulbs were replaced with CFL's the reduction in electricity needed would cause those emissions to be only 20% of what they are now. And here's the real kicker: It goes on to say that even if EVERY one of those CFL's were improperly disposed in a land fill (thereby releasing their mercury back into the environment) the total amount of mercury going into the environment would STILL be only 27% of what it is today! I don't know about you, but I'll take the TINY risk associated with the mercury inside my CFL's if it keeps over 80 tons of the stuff from entering the environment each year! This is not a liberal vs. conservative issue. It's a human sustainability issue. Like it or not, Mr. Edison's invention, which has had a nice 130 run, has finally run its course. Beginning in 2012 our beloved incandescents will begin to fade away...(See forth link)

Answer 3

They make great gifts for special occasions. Include a print out of the reason we should all convert.

You could use them as contest prizes for a local school subject on the best essay for the reason we should all use them.

You could donate them to the local W E A V E (Women escaping a violent environment) thrift store

Answer 4

Hi..
Why don't you just save them, since they only require I/3 of the energy of a regular light bulb ..Or introduce some of them to your friends..You can even donate them to some organizations, that could use them..
I started using them a while back, and now I love them..
Anyway, take care,Yahzmin Semiretired, and have a wonderful weekend!

Answer 5

l guess, l can l am so jealous over you. l do not have none.l must be doing some thing wrong. But hey, send some my way. haha Or tell me how to get some !! And l guess you can give some to a Friend and make me jealous over her. lol

Answer 6

Yes , POsting this question was a great idea..We''re trying to convert ..we had one in our ceiling fan, & got one i a lamp, where did you get them? how would someone go about getting some of them from you?

we want to convert.

Answer 7

Sweet Yahzmin, Today is my Birthday !!!

Come on girl, Light up my Life~~~Jill

Answer 8

Crap! I thought I was up there with 5...! I guess they will make nice stocking stuffers for your friends during the holidays.

Answer 9

I agree with the other A's, just share with others, non-profits such as the humane society.

Answer 10

I still don't know how footballs can be turned into light bulbs.