The new energy saving craze of compact fluorescent light bulbs hit a few years back toting energy and money savings for each light bulb you switched. Duke Energy even offers free CFLs for its customers. Many of us now have these light bulbs in our homes, but what do we do with them when they break or burn out?
There are some things consumers need to understand about CFLs. CFLs contain mercury, so if they break, Duke Energy recommends following EPA guidelines for disposing of the broken CFLs which involves 12 steps to help limit your exposure to mercury vapor which can be very dangerous.
So… please be careful with your bulbs and don’t put them in lamps that can be knocked over! We use them in ceiling lights, but with two small kids, we keep incandescent bulbs in the lamps around our home.
When the bulb burns out, they should NOT be thrown in the trash, because when they are crushed they will emit mercury.
There are many retailers that offer CFL recycling in the Cincinnati and Dayton, OH area including Home Depot, Lowe’s and Ikea. Please contact your local store to make sure they are a participating recycling center.
