Eco-Bulb Learning Center
CFL Disposal
Its really important that we all do our part to properly dispose of devices containing electronics (e.g.CFL's, ipods,cell phones, and even LED's! ).Compact fluorescent bulbs (like all fluorescents made since 1938) contain electronic circuits and a small amount of mercury (1-5 mg). Therefore its important that you follow the recycling or disposal guidelines in your local area.
Although the debate about mercury in CFL's will probably rage on for several more years, there is a general concensus among environmentalists , scientists and governments that CFL's are a much better alternative to traditonal incandescent bulbs. In most regions of North America, a normal CFL (even one that is not properly disposed of) results in a lot less mercury in the enviroment compared to the mercury emissions emitted
by coal fire plants to power an ineffient incandescent bulb. Over the next few years, LED bulbs will become more common place but the proper disposal of LED's will still be an issue. LED's don't have mercury but the circuitry inside the bulb still needs to be recycled appropriately.
On the positive side, lamp manufacturers such as Litetronics are making serious efforts to minimize the amount of mercury used in CFL's. Carbonberry carries the full line of Litetronics Neolite low mercury CFL's that contain only 1 mg of mercury. In addition, many municipalites (e.g. Toronto)
recycle CFL's at their hazordous waste stations or during spring environmental days. There's also a growing list of large retail stores ( e.g. Ikea, Home Depot and Rona
) the have also instituted CFL recycling programs.
Since mercury in the home triggers some very strong responses (as opposed to mercury in the air we breath everyday!), we strongly encourage you to do your own research on this topic. A good place to start is the CFL wikipedia page.