The Bright Way to Recycle, Dispose of CFL Bulbs
Friday, March 4, 2011
Because we're strong advocates of responsible energy use and regularly promote the use of high-efficiency lighting, customers frequently ask us about compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
In today's posting, we'll answer the two most commonly asked CFL questions to help you continue to take small steps in making your home as energy efficient (and safe) as possible.
What if a CFL breaks?
The Environmental Protection Agency recently released revised guidelines for properly cleaning up and disposing of broken CFLs.
CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury (about the size of the period at the end of this sentence) that is safely sealed within the bulb’s glass tubing. It’s part of the reason they are so energy efficient and why the mercury is not released when the bulb is in operation. However, if a CFL happens to break, be sure to follow the EPA’s detailed, practical steps at the link above.
Where do I recycle spent CFLs?
There are a few options available to you when recycling CFLs. For an ever-expanding list of recycling and disposal options, you can contact your local municipal solid waste agency, or go to www.earth911.org.
One convenient option I’ve taken advantage of is Home Depot’s free CFL recycling program. You simply place an expired and unbroken CFL in a plastic bag and deposit it in one of the store’s orange collection bins, normally located inside near the front entrance. Click here for more information on Home Depot’s program and how to find a store near you.
Try them out
And let us help. We recently mailed two coupons to customers toward the purchase of ENERGY STAR® CFL multipacks. The coupons can deliver savings up to $6 off the purchase price. Use your coupons before April 15 – it’s a fast and easy way to cut energy use.
My family has been using CFLs for years without any incident. The energy savings (switching out five of your most-used bulbs with CFLs can save $27 annually) and the convenience of not having to replace spent light bulbs as frequently (particularly in hard-to-reach places) is definitely worth the switch.
There are many additional ways your family can become more energy efficient, and a good place to start is at our website.
Until next time, keep using energy safely and wisely.
In today's posting, we'll answer the two most commonly asked CFL questions to help you continue to take small steps in making your home as energy efficient (and safe) as possible.
What if a CFL breaks?
The Environmental Protection Agency recently released revised guidelines for properly cleaning up and disposing of broken CFLs.
CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury (about the size of the period at the end of this sentence) that is safely sealed within the bulb’s glass tubing. It’s part of the reason they are so energy efficient and why the mercury is not released when the bulb is in operation. However, if a CFL happens to break, be sure to follow the EPA’s detailed, practical steps at the link above.
Where do I recycle spent CFLs?
There are a few options available to you when recycling CFLs. For an ever-expanding list of recycling and disposal options, you can contact your local municipal solid waste agency, or go to www.earth911.org.
One convenient option I’ve taken advantage of is Home Depot’s free CFL recycling program. You simply place an expired and unbroken CFL in a plastic bag and deposit it in one of the store’s orange collection bins, normally located inside near the front entrance. Click here for more information on Home Depot’s program and how to find a store near you.
Try them out
And let us help. We recently mailed two coupons to customers toward the purchase of ENERGY STAR® CFL multipacks. The coupons can deliver savings up to $6 off the purchase price. Use your coupons before April 15 – it’s a fast and easy way to cut energy use.
My family has been using CFLs for years without any incident. The energy savings (switching out five of your most-used bulbs with CFLs can save $27 annually) and the convenience of not having to replace spent light bulbs as frequently (particularly in hard-to-reach places) is definitely worth the switch.
There are many additional ways your family can become more energy efficient, and a good place to start is at our website.
Until next time, keep using energy safely and wisely.
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Recycle and dispose of CFLs
