How To Dispose Of Fluorescent Light Bulb
Your area may prohibit disposal and or require recycling.
How to dispose of fluorescent light bulb. Cfl bulbs are considered hazardous waste in many areas and require a little more planning when it comes to disposal. That can lead to short term health risk for exposed individuals and lasting environmental damage to soil and water. These long tubes are energy efficient and long lasting a typical fluorescent bulb lasts 24 000 to 36 000 hours making them favorites for workshops and. In some areas it s actually illegal to dispose of fluorescent tubes in the trash so be sure to follow the proper steps in recycling your fluorescent tubes to avoid breaking the law or damaging people s health.
It s a small trade off for the benefit of more efficient bulbs which last longer and require less coal or oil fired electricity. Other materials in the bulbs get reused. Its important to know that these cfl light bulbs need to be disposed properly and not just be thrown in the regular trash can. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.
How to recycle fluorescent bulbs and tubes. These bulbs are most commonly used for industrial lighting and in commercial buildings. Recycling cfls and other fluorescent bulbs allows reuse of the glass metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Why is proper disposal important.
Cfl bulbs contain about 5 milligrams of mercury which can be toxic to the environment. When a cfl compact fluorescent lamp light bulb in your house burns out or stops lighting up your only option is to throw it away and get a new one. How to get rid of fluorescent tubes. Fluorescent tubes serve as an energy efficient alternative to incandescent light bulbs but they contain low levels of toxic mercury which can be released into the air or water if the tubes are broken.
Dave lake of colerain township has been replacing his unattractive fluorescent light bulbs in his home with new led bulbs. Fluorescent bulb recycling all fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury and new jersey residents have many options regarding how to handle spent bulbs maine compact fluorescent lamp breakage study report. The mercury inside fluorescent tube lights is hazardous so extra care should be taken to ensure that this material doesn t leak. Why do cfl bulbs need special disposal.
Many people wonder can i throw away fluorescent bulbs once they burn out.