Sep 26, 2007 posting at the Consumer Alert blog, which is part of the BlogsMonroe.com network.
It’s a good opportunity to get rid of various household hazardous wastes, including some you might not think of as hazardous – fluorescent bulbs. Both compact fluorescent bulbs commonly used in lamps and tube-shaped bulbs commonly found in shoplights contain small amounts of hazardous mercury. Those are accepted at hazardous waste days.
The federal government advises consumers to dispose of fluorescent bulbs that way or by putting them in plastic bags and throwing them out with household trash. But Michigan is among the states that has a law against disposing of fluorescent bulbs in landfills.
Web site: LightBulbRecycling.com
Oops.
A few fun Mercury facts :
- The Mercury from one fluorescent bulb can pollute 6,000 gallons of water beyond safe levels for drinking.
- One teaspoon of mercury can contaminate a 20 acre lake forever
In our home, we have at least 15 of those little fluorescent lamp bulbs installed that are suppose to last 5 to 7 years. I installed them last year, but not for reducing energy costs or for helping the environment. I like the light given off by those bulbs, and I like the idea of not changing light bulbs for 5 to 7 years. Although one did fail earlier this year after only being in use for 6 to 8 months. I disposed of it by ...
For 120 bucks, I could some day buy the Compact Fluorescent Bulb - Recycling Kit.
Hey, a certificate. Gotta like that. I'll set it right next to that piece of paper saying a star is named after me.
Wikipedia entry for Compact fluorescent lamp :
The actual environmental effect of CFLs is the subject of much debate. Apart from the gross electrical power saved during operation, it is questioned whether the amount of power and raw materials used in their manufacture compares well with incandescent lamps, and also whether the mercury used in CFLs is a significant environmental hazard.
CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps (e.g., long tubular lamps common in offices and kitchens), contain small amounts of mercury and it is a concern for landfills and waste incinerators where the mercury from lamps may be released and contribute to air and water pollution. [B]ecause household users have the option of disposing of these products in the same way they dispose of other solid waste, it is expected that most consumers dispose of old CFLs with their standard domestic waste.10 years from now, environmentalists will want CFLs outlawed, soon after getting laws passed that ban incandescent bulbs. Let's see, years ago it was plastic grocery bags instead of paper sacks, but now we're suppose to use paper sacks again.
For reading or just illuminating a room, I prefer the light given off by those hazardous, little, fluorescent bulbs over the light from an incandescent. So I better enjoy them now because they'll be gone one day.
Lucas County Web site: Household Hazardous Waste
May 2006 Toledo Blade story :
