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LIGHTBULBS (fluorescent)

The problem

• Good for you!  You're using CFU's and saving energy.  But they have mercury in them.  True, you should only have to discard them every few years since they last so long, but make sure you dispose of them properly:
  • "The recycling industry estimates that more than 300 million compact fluorescents were sold in the United States last year - more than 100 million by Wal-Mart alone. As few as 2 percent are being recycled." (http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bay_environment/bal-te.md.bulb19mar19,0,1735309.story?page=2)

• Some neighsayors have overreacted to this issue, and whine and scream when really they're probably just looking for an excuse not to have to change how they light their homes.  This pretty much sums up why they're wrong:
  • "The Natural Resources Defense Council notes...that the mercury in a discarded CFL - and in the coal burned to power it over its lifetime - would release 8 milligrams of mercury. That's less than half the 17.6 milligrams emitted by the coal burned to light a less-efficient incandescent bulb for the same period of time." (http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bay_environment/bal-te.md.bulb19mar19,0,1735309.story?page=2)

Reduce

•   No! The more CFL's  you use in place of incandesecnts the better.  But you should still be turning off lights when you leave a room; don't think having CFL's exempts you from that!

Reuse

• N/A

Recycle

• back of package has phone # & website for recycling info 
• CFL recycling programs available for only 10 of Maryland's 24 local jurisdictions, but listed here: http://www.mde.state.md.us./
• http://www.mdrecycles.org/recyclingDirectory.asp?sec=fluorescentLamps
• http://www.sylvania.com/recycle  (costs money, but check it out...; also good for businesses)
• All IKEA stores and some Ace and Tru-Value stores
• stores like Home Depot and Wal-Mart are hopefully starting easy drop-off recycle bins, but hasn't really taken off yet.

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The problem

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

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The problem

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle