We all know the benefits of Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs). It is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to save natural resources and save some money on energy costs. But what happens when they burn out? What happens when they break? While not the sexiest of topics, it’s certainly worth five minutes of your time to learn the answers.
When the bulb breaks
Don’t panic! Each bulb contains a very small percentage of mercury. In fact, the thermometers we all remember as kids posed a far bigger threat---CFLs contain less than 1/100th of the amount in a mercury thermometer.
EPA RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING PROTOCOL IF A CFL SHOULD BREAK:
Before cleanup:
- Have people and pets leave the room.
- Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment.
- Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one.
- Collect materials needed to clean up broken bulb: stiff paper or cardboard; sticky tape; damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces); and a glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag.
During cleanup
- Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder.
- Place cleanup materials in a sealable container.
After cleanup
- Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.
- If practical, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours.
For more detailed info, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup-detailed.html
Don’t trash that CFL!
According to the EPA, recycling CFLs is important, for the following reasons:
- Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. Learn more about CFLs and mercury.
- Other materials in the bulbs get reused. Recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.
Where to go to throw (gently place in bin)
**Your local Home Depot has a bin for CFL disposal.
**The City of Jacksonville has a Hazardous Waste Facility at 2675 Commonwealth Avenue (open Tues – Sat 8am-5pm).
Types of waste which may be brought to one of the mobile events or to the HHW Facility include:
- Fluorescent bulbs and tubes, including CFL light bulbs
- Paint, varnish or shellac
- Paint thinners and paint strippers
- Rechargeable, automobile or lead acid batteries
- Thermometers and thermostats
- Drain cleaners
- Pool, automobile, cleaning, lawn, garden and photographic chemicals
- Aerosol cans
- Antifreeze
- Fertilizer and pesticides
- Acids
- Gun powder, ammunition and fireworks
- 20-pound propane cylinders
- Oil and oil filters
- Gasoline, diesel and kerosene
- Fire extinguishers
- Flares
When the bulb breaks
Don’t panic! Each bulb contains a very small percentage of mercury. In fact, the thermometers we all remember as kids posed a far bigger threat---CFLs contain less than 1/100th of the amount in a mercury thermometer.
EPA RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING PROTOCOL IF A CFL SHOULD BREAK:
Before cleanup:
- Have people and pets leave the room.
- Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment.
- Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one.
- Collect materials needed to clean up broken bulb: stiff paper or cardboard; sticky tape; damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces); and a glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag.
During cleanup
- Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder.
- Place cleanup materials in a sealable container.
After cleanup
- Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.
- If practical, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours.
For more detailed info, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup-detailed.html
Don’t trash that CFL!
According to the EPA, recycling CFLs is important, for the following reasons:
- Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. Learn more about CFLs and mercury.
- Other materials in the bulbs get reused. Recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.
Where to go to throw (gently place in bin)
**Your local Home Depot has a bin for CFL disposal.
**The City of Jacksonville has a Hazardous Waste Facility at 2675 Commonwealth Avenue (open Tues – Sat 8am-5pm).
Types of waste which may be brought to one of the mobile events or to the HHW Facility include:
- Fluorescent bulbs and tubes, including CFL light bulbs
- Paint, varnish or shellac
- Paint thinners and paint strippers
- Rechargeable, automobile or lead acid batteries
- Thermometers and thermostats
- Drain cleaners
- Pool, automobile, cleaning, lawn, garden and photographic chemicals
- Aerosol cans
- Antifreeze
- Fertilizer and pesticides
- Acids
- Gun powder, ammunition and fireworks
- 20-pound propane cylinders
- Oil and oil filters
- Gasoline, diesel and kerosene
- Fire extinguishers
- Flares
2 comments:
The EPA estimates recycling rates of fluorescent lamps at only 20 to 25 percent, leaving the majority to be placed in dumpsters and eventually end up in landfills—where they may emit hazardous mercury vapor into the environment. The consumer recycling rate has been estimated to be even lower—possibly at less than 2 percent. In addition to fluorescent lamps and CFLs, all mercury-containing products should be properly stored, transported and recycled to prevent hazardous mercury vapor from emitting. However, as this article states, if bulbs are broken they need to be sufficiently cleaned up. Furthermore, they cannot be thrown away in the trash, but should be taken to a recycling center or disposed of by using a proven recycling box.
Mercury-containing waste that isn’t properly recycled poses a serious environmental and health concern. It is important to encourage recycling of mercury-containing products, such as CFLs. Find out more about how to minimize environmental risks and safely package CFLs here: http://vaporlok.blogspot.com/2010/05/layers-of-protection-packaging-used.html If a bulb breaks, consumers can learn more about clean-up procedures here: http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup-detailed.html
Absolutely! That was the point we were trying to drive home with this post. Thank you for your most excellent contribution.
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