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Eco-Lightbulbs – Yes or No?

Posted by on May 22, 2008 in Technology | 2 comments

Hi Everyone, Do you know that the “green” lightbulbs have a mercury lining and are considered hazardous waste?! Check out the following info:

Just a piece of info for you all out there…BE CAREFUL IF YOU BREAK ONE OF THOSE CF/ ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS!!!!

I did today and it’s no picnic. If you happen to break one, please remember:
– DO NOT TOUCH IT!! ( Like I did, to pick it up )They contain mercury powder. Use gloves you will throw away.
– Turn off your heat/ air so you won’t circulate it around the whole house
– Open up as many windows as you can
– clean up with with disposable paper towels, sponge…do not use your vac!! Whatever you touch the area with must be tossed out, place bulb & waste in sealed plastic bag
– call your local town waste disposal center as to how to dispose of it.

The guy from there today told me it’s very expensive if you happen to break one on your carpet…luck for me I didn’t. You can buy the “double sealed” bulbs ( that look more like regular bulbs ) rather than the spiral kind. Looks like now I’ll be going out & spending more on those!

Be careful, my friends, I never knew they could be so much trouble!!
Jameson
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/CALFacts_and_Assumptions.pdf
and scroll to page 4 for mercury stuff.

The GE website (www.ge.com and Search for “CFL”) says: Like paint, batteries, thermostats, and other hazardous household items, CFLs should be disposed of properly. Do not throw CFLs away in your household garbage if better disposal options exist. To find out what to do first check www.earth911.org (where you can find disposal options by using your zip code) or call 1-877-EARTH911 for local disposal options. Another option is to check directly with your local waste management agency for recycling options and disposal guidelines in your community. Additional information is available at www.lamprecycle.org. Finally, IKEA stores take back used CFLs, and other retailers are currently exploring take back programs.

Related posts:

  1. Q & A – Lightbulbs
  2. Mercury-Packed CFL Bulbs Now Found to Fry Your Skin
  3. Essential Feng Shui Tips: Lighting

2 Comments

  1. Angela J. Sisson / June 2, 2008

    Though the movement toward eco-friendly bulbs is great and will not doubt become a better option as new iterations are perfected, to the average consumer I say — they are not practical! At least, not the mass-produced ones. Why? There’s that pesky issue with mercury which no one usually mentions (kudos, my friends here!) and which brings hazards and complications into our lives, there’s the issue of cost (you think you’re investing only to find out you’re investing in a potential environmental hazard, which deflates the sense of investmenti n progress), and … in my humble experience! … the manufacturers boast “long life” but don’t deliver.

    Recommendation: Emphasize practical and tried-and-true, manageable ‘green’ changes. Don’t let items springing up to take advantage of the interest in a ‘greener’ world make you feel ‘green’ — investigate before investing!

  2. Angela J. Sisson / June 26, 2008

    Here’s an update: I just learned that all Home Depot stores are going to take these bulbs off our hands once they have been used.