Compact fluorescent bulbs can be recycled for free.
Fluorescent lightbulbs contain mercury, which is a hazardous material. Dumping lightbulbs into the trash bin is easy, but not responsible because they ultimately pollute the environment. As of 2010, North Carolina did not have a statewide fluorescent bulb disposal or recycling program in place, although some cities recycled the bulbs as part of their hazardous waste management. North Carolina residents have a few options when it comes to getting rid of hazardous lightbulbs and should choose the most convenient one. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Contact your town's waste-reduction program to find out whether it collects fluorescent lightbulbs and follow the guidelines for your community. Learn prepare the bulbs for disposal and how frequently they are collected. .
2. Place spent compact fluorescent bulbs in a paper bag and take them to a Home Depot store. Home Depot accepts compact fluorescent bulbs for recycling at any store location, according to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This is a free and easy way to recycle fluorescent bulbs if your North Carolina town does not accept them for recycling.
3. Participate in a mail-back fluorescent bulb disposal program to dispose of larger bulbs that are not accepted at Home Depot. Purchase a container from EasyPak or lightbulb manufacturer Sylvania. Fill the container with your spent fluorescent bulbs and return it to the company by mail, using the instructions sent with the recycling container.
Tags: fluorescent bulbs, North Carolina, Home Depot, bulb disposal, compact fluorescent bulbs
