Some big retailers are promoting compact fluorescent light bulbs as a way to save energy. But improper disposal of the bulbs creates a hazard, because they contain small amounts of mercury.
Recycling them is about to get easier. Home Depot, the nation’s second-largest retailer, will announce on Tuesday that it will take back old compact fluorescents in all 1,973 of its stores in the United States, creating the nation’s most widespread recycling program for the bulbs.
It’s IMPORTANT the CFLs be properly disposed. The mercury in them is a hazard. Don’t put them in the trash!
And if you’re still using inefficient 125-year-old incandescent technology, why?
Thanks to Bob Ormond for the link.
I only have one incandescent left in my home (it is 30 feet up and I’m not replacing it until it burns out). For places where I really want nice light, I use Halogens. For other places, I use CFLs. LEDs would be better, but aren’t available except in niche applications.
The trouble with fluorescents is that the light quality sucks. Indeed, we are holding onto our old CRTs rather than buying new LCD screens, because the LCDs are backlit with flourescents and it drives her nuts.
Thanks for the tip. I had no idea.