I was browsing the mainstream news channels and came across a report on compact fluorescent bulbs containing mercury. And although I was aware of that, to listen to the journalist explain it would have you immediately switch back to the less efficient incandescent bulbs. Even companies marketing CF bulbs were targeted by the fearful report as if they were part of a conspiracy to fill the world with mercury.

Not a word was mentioned of recycling compact fluorescent bulbs. In fact the only saving grace of the report was someone saying (forgive my memory but it was about a week ago) “the amount in one bulb is about 1/100 of that in an amalgam tooth filling.” It does shock me to think there are still dentists that will fill your mouth full of mercury. Ask for an alternative, and if they do not provide it then leave.

This may seem like an insignificant amount per bulb, but it is accumulating by the tons day after day into landfills further poisoning the ecosystem. When they are broken the mercury is scattered into the air and pollutes the water, food, everything. Don’t let this deter you from using the far more efficient CFs, because the mercury released by the coal plants to power an incandescent bulb compared to the Cfs is more than is contained inside of a CF bulb.

The fact remains that, although CF’s energy efficiency is far superior to its predecessor, they do contain harmful amount of toxins that are harmful to the health of all biological beings.

There is a proper way to dispose of them.
NEMA, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, maintains a list of companies in the United States and Canada that either claim to recycle or transport them for recycling.

In the U.S. some states have banned even homeowners from just throwing away such bulbs, but in others they are exempt from the proper disposal laws.
Lamp Recycle.org shows you by state the laws and regulations that apply.

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