CFL lightbulb info - recycling

MERCURY

CFL light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury. Even though it contains mercury, a CFL light bulb reduces potential mercury emissions by 70% compared to incandescents. i.e. 150,000 CFL light bulbs reduce mercury emissions by 600,000mg.

Read more about them ercury content at energystar.gov

MERCURY IS HAZARDEOUS WATE AND SHOULD NOT BE PUT IN A LANDFILL. WE HAVE TO RECYCLE ALL CFL LIGHT BULBS! READ MORE ABOUT RECYCLING HERE

Read the article in
"The green lantern: Illuminating answers to environmental questions.
The Case for CFLsCompact fluorescent light bulbs are safe, and they look great, too.How should I clean up a broken fluorescent bulb?"
CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE
CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF

Read the article Mercury Risk in CFLs: The Facts, July 31, 2007 | Posted by John Balbus in Health, Technology
CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE
CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF

EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:

1. Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes.
2. Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.
- Wear disposable rubber gloves, if available (do not use your bare hands).
- Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard.
- Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.
- Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
3. Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it.
- If your state permits you to put used or broken CFLs in the garbage, seal the CFL in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash (if no other disposal or recycling options are available).
-Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.
4. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag once done cleaning the area (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag and/or vacuum debris, as well as the cleaning materials, in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

source:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf