cfc bulbs and disposal

slwigs

I just wondered how to dispose of the new cfc bulbs we are using. I understand they contain mercury?



jstack6
jstack6's picture
Re: cfc bulbs and disposal

the best way is to buy LED bulbs from many places now like on line at ccrane.com or even walmart super stores.  No mercury , they use 1/10th the energy , are cool when on and last forever, almost.

  I have about 5 different types and brands of LED bulbs from Christmas lites to spot lights. very cool, very efficient, very non heavy metal !

the solar stacks

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solar stacks



ctyankee
Re: cfc bulbs and disposal

I'm still not ready to drop $14.95 on a lightbulb...

But I agree, once LED's catch on they will save $$$



ctyankee
Re: cfc bulbs and disposal

Several of the big-box home improvement stores will accept the CFL's back as a service.

For *many* years users of fluorescent tubes have been buying machines that 'recycle' tubes.  The machine is a grinder/vacuum cleaner that sits on top of a 55 gallon drum.  The tube goes in and is smashed-up.. The vacuum discharges thru a HEPA filter with a Hg trap (activated carbon adsorption).

Each drum holds several hundred tubes.  The company must then pay to have the drum of broken glass properly disposed of at a not too insignificant cost.  This has been going on for about 2 decades...  Most folks are still blissfully unaware.

As a homeowner or renter you can just drop them in the garbage.  The amount of Hg in each CFL is not a big deal given how few folks are actually using the things.



athena
Re: cfc bulbs and disposal

There is a lot more mercury in old tooth fillings which are flushed down the drain.  Some dentists collect the fillings for the silver content, but most are not very recycle motivated.  They probably get paid too much.