Most of us know that making the switch to CFLs can help the environment. But why? And how do we properly dispose of a CFL?
I found a great video today that clearly explains the benefits of CFLs. Check it out:
Let’s say that you’ve now switched over to Energy Star-qualified CFLs in your house and they’ve been in for a long time. Finally, one blows out. Do you throw them in the trash like regular bulbs? No. They require special recycling because of the mercury that they contain. (It’s easy and worth it, don’t let this dissuade you from buying them.)
Here’s a cute video from Florida’s Twin Oaks School explaining what to do with CFLs and why it’s important to recycle them correctly:
The TwinOaksKrew explains that these bulbs “should be taken to a local household hazardous waste collection program, a commercial recycling company, or retail take-back program.”
You can locate a program near you by going to Earth 911. Enter in what you want to recycle (i.e. CFL) and your location, and it will provide you with a list of recycling centers near you. When I pulled up the list near me, 8 of the 10 closest locations to my home were Home Depots that offer a CFL drop-off.
Note: You can search for recycling centers for just about anything on Earth 911’s website. I highly suggest bookmarking it and using this guide for all of your recycling needs!
Where can you recycle hazardous waste in your area? Does your community provide you with good resources?
4 responses so far ↓
1 lorraine // Oct 24, 2008 at 9:54 am
Thanks for the Earth911 link! This is a great resource!
2 Paul @ Green Pepper // Oct 25, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Great video (first/top one) – love the style and simplicity delivering such a powerful message. Y’know what though, I’ve used CFL bulbs for a l-o-n-g time and I actually have one in my bathroom that I’ve had for nearly 12 years!!! It’s been to 3 addresses with me and, when I bought it back in 1996 it cost around £15 (I’m in the UK!) because it was new technology then. Worth every penny though – and still going strong!
3 meredith // Oct 26, 2008 at 9:59 am
Hi Paul – Thank you! Yes, I really like that video too! So simple and easy to understand. I love that you’ve been using them for so long! My mom used them at our house probably starting around 1989 or so and I remember the weird color/glow they gave off. They sure have improved over the years! I didn’t get the importance of them when I moved out and on my own but I sure do now!
4 pays to live green // Nov 2, 2008 at 9:51 am
Great video about CFLs. For anybody who is unfamilar with CFLs, that video will really make it easy to understand.
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