Recycling & Disposing of CFL Light Bulbs / GE Bright Ideas Report
By: Matt Turner
Updated: April 8, 2011
Compact fluorescent light bulbs are a great way to save money and protect the planet.
Although CFLS last much longer than traditional bulbs, they also contain small amounts of mercury. That means you have to be careful when throwing them away.
Waste Management in Rogers, Arkansas has a solution designed to help consumers get rid of CFLs without having to leave their homes. By visiting www.ThinkGreenFromHome.com, people can order a special packet that includes a foil-sealed envelope.
Each envelope can hold up to 13 bulbs and once it's full, the bag can be mailed away to a recycling facility in Minnesota.
The facility also recycles CFLs even if they're broken. However, cleaning up broken CFLs involves a few precautions. If you happen to drop a CFL and the glass breaks, it's recommended that you open a window to allow for proper ventilation.
After that, use rubber gloves and a piece of cardboard to sweep up the remnants of the CFL. Once everything is cleaned up, put all the pieces in a ziplock bag. People are also advised not to use a broom or vacuum cleaner for this process because trace amounts of mercury can potentially spread to other parts of the house.
Although CFLS last much longer than traditional bulbs, they also contain small amounts of mercury. That means you have to be careful when throwing them away.
Waste Management in Rogers, Arkansas has a solution designed to help consumers get rid of CFLs without having to leave their homes. By visiting www.ThinkGreenFromHome.com, people can order a special packet that includes a foil-sealed envelope.
Each envelope can hold up to 13 bulbs and once it's full, the bag can be mailed away to a recycling facility in Minnesota.
The facility also recycles CFLs even if they're broken. However, cleaning up broken CFLs involves a few precautions. If you happen to drop a CFL and the glass breaks, it's recommended that you open a window to allow for proper ventilation.
After that, use rubber gloves and a piece of cardboard to sweep up the remnants of the CFL. Once everything is cleaned up, put all the pieces in a ziplock bag. People are also advised not to use a broom or vacuum cleaner for this process because trace amounts of mercury can potentially spread to other parts of the house.
