Battery Disposal Sites

FLOURESCENT ENERGY SAVING LIGHT BULBS: Are they safe?

The city I live in tells its residents to dispose of these lightbulbs (due to their mercury content) at special disposal sites along with paints, lead batteries and other toxic wastes. Are these really better for the environment?

Yes.

a) CFLs reduce total mercury in the environment by reducing energy use from coal power plants (who have mercury as a byproduct).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mercury_emissions_by_light_source_%28en%29.svg

b) There is a very small amount of mercury in a CFL (about the size of the tip of a ball point pen). If you break one, you just need to follow the EPA cleanup guidelines to be safe.

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#fluorescent

c) If you’re really worried about their safety, you can be even more environmentally friendly and buy LEDs instead.

http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/category/led-lightbulbs

Lead Battery Recycling