How shall I dispose of an energy saver lightbulb?

Question

I thought I'd have another five or six years before needing to know this, but one of those newfangled, energy saver, light bulbs that I bought from Walmart, burned out already. I've heard it's bad to just toss them in the trash. Shall I toss it in Walmart's trash?

Answer 1

Is that a compact fluorescent bulb? They *should* last longer unless you are using them with a dimmer or three-way switch.

The amount of mercury in one bulb is so small that disposal isn't subject to federal regulations, but to be responsible it's best to dispose of old or broken fluorescent lights at your community's hazardous waste facility, rather than throwing them in the trash.

Answer 2

your city or county ought to offer disposal for this type of "trash"...walmart does enough dumping..don't throw it in their trash...if it's gone out already, I might return it for cash and not buy from there again...

just an idea

Answer 3

Almost all of these type bulbs will likely be just tosses out.

Yes they contain mercury, a toxic heavy metal.

The sad thing is that congress mandated us to have these bulbs in our homes in just a couple of years.  We already have problems with mercury in streams that fish are too toxic to eat.

Now we will add to this problem.

You can take the bulb back to Wal-Mart, but they are just going to throw the bulb out in the normal trash.

Answer 4

quote

"Disposing of Burnt Out Bulbs

Step 1:

Seal the bulb inside two plastic bags, or one thick freezer bag, before disposing in the trash. You should throw the bulbs away only if you have no other options.

Step 2:

Find the nearest recycling station that handles hazardous materials. Check with your city's municipal office to see if there is a recycling program in your town.

Step 3:

Contact the recycling station if it is not in your city. They may or may not take your bulbs if your city does not allow or participate in such a program.

Step 4:

Take the bulbs to the recycling station. Ask the people there about the process of giving them your bulbs and follow all their instructions.

Step 5:

Tell everyone you know who is using energy efficient bulbs how to properly dispose of them as the use of these bulbs is growing.

If a Bulb Breaks

Step 1:

Open a window and leave the room. Let no one inside for at least 15 minutes.

Step 2:

Collect the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard. Wear disposable rubber gloves. Do not use a vacuum cleaner.

Step 3:

Clean the entire area with a wet wipe or wet paper towel. Use adhesive tape to collect excess powder.

Step 4:

Seal all pieces and cleanup materials in a plastic bag. Follow the above procedures on disposal or recycling. Wash your hands completely afterward.

Step 5:

Dispose of the vacuum bag in the same manner the next time you vacuum the area. If it's a canister vacuum, wipe it completely clean."

end quote.

Answer 5

If its burnt out because it led a useful, 2 year life, there shouldnt be any mercury left in it, or atleast not much.  I thought the reason CFL's stopped working was because theyve leaked their mercury vapor.  If there is not much mercury left in it, who cares where you throw it out.  Do people actually think the mercury will end up in the dump or in a river?  Its vapor isnt it?  And when the bulb breaks, sometime after its thrown in the trash and long before it makes it to a dump, the mercury has been dispersed/diluted by then.

Answer 6

Check to see if your city or county offers hazardous waste drop-off sites.  This doesn't just apply to CFL's...all flourescent light bulbs (including the old-fashioned "bar" types) should be disposed of this way.

Sounds like you got ripped off on your bulb...if you bought an off-brand one from Wal-Mart, I'm not surprised.  I get good ones from the hardware store that last years and years.

Answer 7

I would take the defective bulb back to Walmart and let them deal with it.  Or, you could just throw it in the trash and eat your loss.