Recycling CFLs

[Note the following post has been crossposted from Ze-gen's blog "Rethink"]

As we continue to look for more efficient ways to light our homes, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) have become a popular option. However, as their prevalence in the home increases, so does their appearance in landfills. A recent Energycentral.com article points out that each light bulb contains up to 5 milligrams of mercury, yet the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (ALMR) states that “only about 2 percent of residential consumers and one-third of businesses recycle them.”  The EPA recommends that we “take advantage of local options for recycling CFLs” because CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into dumpsters and trashcans, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. When you properly recycle the CFLs not only are you preventing the mercury from escaping into the atmosphere but you’re also allowing for the reuse of the glass and other metals that make up the lights.

Unfortunately, while states across the country pass laws to encourage the widespread adoption of CLFs, the recycling of these bulbs remains very low. Energycentral.com explains that while many states do require fluorescent light recycling, the actual recycling rate is most likely low because of a lack of convenient drop-off locations. Associations like ALMR are helping to increase collection, processing, and recycling options for CFLs and the EPA’s resource page includes a link to find local drop-off locations. As more companies join in the “extended producer responsibility” movement we hope it will become easier to prevent the landfilling or incineration of these materials. For example, last fall Lowe’s began installing recycling centers throughout its U.S. stores to provide “one-stop” recycling for customers to recycle rechargeable batters, cell phones, CFLs, and plastic shopping bags. It is convenient drop spots like this that make it much easier for us to think about recycling these potentially toxic products before tossing them out in the trash at home.   In order to continue to diverting waste from landfills and incinerators, when we buy our next CFL, we must also make sure to identify drop off locations for the spent bulb for recycling and proper disposal.