Where to take dead CFL's?

Hi, I just noticed my dead CFL bulb says it has mercury in it. Or maybe I knew but didn't care that much. I also just read that a broken thermometer with mercury would contaminate 5 olympic sized pools. So, with the new regs outlawing the incandescent bulb, I looked into all this and will likely get an LED light. Expensive but long lasting and efficient. Hopefully the light it puts off isn't horrible.

Anyway, I wanted to share where I will be taking my CFL, Lowes hardware store. This is not a plug for their business because I probably will just drop off the bulb and do other things, although getting my next bulbs would be a nice way to support them for their service. I don't know of other ways to dispose of CFL bulbs, florescent bulbs, or even re-chargable batteries, either. My Lowes will also take the plastic shopping bags as well. I hope this helps some people make a better decision than throwing their CFL in the trash when it's finished.

Does anyone have other ways to share to minimize the toxic impact of CFL's?

Last I checked (which was some time ago), IKEA and some ACE Hardware stores also took them back.

This discussion reminds me why we need to think "cradle to grave" when creating new products - ultimately there is no "away" to throw stuff as we are all in the same biosphere.

Thanks for bringing up this topic!

You didn't say where you are located, but if you live in a large urban area, you might find somebody that 'recycles' standard florescent bulbs. They take in the dead, used bulbs, and recharge them.

One of my nephews has an auto body shop, and has a guy come by regularly. Trades x many recycled bulbs for y many dead bulbs. My nephew says it has cut his bulb costs to less than one half, plus it keeps them out of the waste stream. He only needs to buy a new bulb if they break one (or he can pay this guy for 'extras').

Perhaps a truck load should be delivered to the legislature who created the problem.

Dale Hodgins wrote:Perhaps a truck load should be delivered to the legislature who created the problem.

+1000

Lowes usually has a box to return CFLs as well as used batteries near their returns area. Home Depot may as well...

My Lowes only takes cfl bulbs, but I brought a fluorescent and they just said they throw those out. Oh well.