disposing of old UV bulbs

[BocaJan]

I understand that florescent bulbs have mercury in them, making them hazardous for our landfills. How do you all dispose of them?

 

[nateboston78]

Find a recycle center that takes it: http://www.therecyclingcenter.info/recyclingcenters.php5

 

[sandrachameleon]

You are right, Like paint, thermostats, batteries and other hazardous household items, all florescents should be disposed of in an environmentally friendly and responsible manner - never just toss with the trash. Most cities will have a recycling / return centre for these bulbs.

Ask the place where you buy them, or call your city/town hall or do a web search.

If you're in the USA, check this site: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/index.htm

In Canada, recycle locations include:
Home Depot, Rona, IKEA, Marchand Electrical Co., some Canadian Tire locations, Capital Iron, Gibsons Building Supplies,Curtis Lumber, some Home Hardware locations, Green Store

Recycling centres use a vacuum chamber to draw out the mercury and phosphorus. The glass is then crushed and the aluminum end caps separated and these items are recycled. The mercury and phosphorus are placed in sealed drums and sent for separation, recycling and neutralization.

 

[BocaJan]

Thanks I found the place close. I hope everyone disposes of their bulbs properly.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Me too. I'm glad you started the thread, as I suspect some people would not have known.

 

[lampshade]

That's a very thoughtful question. Most people don't give a damn about the environment (even though we live in it...).

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I think Home Depot will take them and dispose of or recycle them properly.

-Brad

 

[sandrachameleon]

Ya they do in Canada, so one would expect they do in the USA.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Bump

I remain suprised how many people still throw hazardous crap into landfills and down drains (which means into our soil, water, air, food, and ultimately into ourselves).

I remain hopeful its just that folks are uninformed rather than lazy.....
​

Fluorescent tubes and CFLs
motor oil
windshield washer fluid
Batteries
Prescription medicine
cell phones
computers
paint
Pesticides
Nail polish and remover
Oven cleaners
Solvents, turpentine, varnish, lacquers
Weed killers
Hair coloring & perm solutions
Bleach
Antifreeze
etc

 

[sandrachameleon]

this info may be worth a bump

 

[BocaJan]

I take my old bulbs to Home Depot. They will dispose of them properly with no problem.

 

[bradley]

i use my uv bulbs on animals that need a low uv output or an animal that doesnt need uv and just use it for viewing purposes

 

[BocaJan]

Recycling is great. I forgot to mention that I use the bulbs with a UVB of 20 or under for my neonates. As they get older I use better bulbs and raise them up higher and watch my readings.

 

[sandrachameleon]

i use my uv bulbs on animals that need a low uv output or an animal that doesnt need uv and just use it for viewing purposes

I do this too. When they come off the cham cages they are often put to use for awhile on frog tanks and such.
But eventually, the die and need to be taken in for proper disposal.

 

[pssh]

I'm not so sure this pertains to light bulbs, but its good to know anyways. The only thing with the recycling of certain things is that you have to ask what they do with it and where they take it. A lot of 'recycling' places dont actually recycle computers and cell phones and all that other stuff. Often times the stuff is hand picked and taken to places like Nigeria (and other less off countries) where they will try to fix them. If they can't fix them they go into a make shift landfill of sorts and then it is burned once all the copper wire and other goodies are taken from the different items.

Sure does bring up the cancer/other terrible disease rates. So make sure to ask before recycling items, especially computers and other like things.

 

[jojackson]

At a few every 6 months, I figure Im hardly making a difference to our Big blue landfill. Most things get recycled, but stuff like that? Not in Oz *shrugs*
I expect Gov may be persuaded to care within another 50 yrs or so.

When they come off the cham cages they are often put to use for awhile on frog tanks

Ditto.

 

[Clifford]

At a few every 6 months, I figure Im hardly making a difference to our Big blue landfill. Most things get recycled, but stuff like that? Not in Oz *shrugs*

Maybe you should do a little reading and learn about the harm you are causing.

 

[summoner12]

At a few every 6 months, I figure Im hardly making a difference to our Big blue landfill. Most things get recycled, but stuff like that? Not in Oz *shrugs*
I expect Gov may be persuaded to care within another 50 yrs or so.

When they come off the cham cages they are often put to use for awhile on frog tanks

Ditto.

Maybe you should do a little reading and learn about the harm you are causing.

If everyone just did this every six months... we'd have an issue... exactly why we are where we are with all the other 'green' issues. I am not a crazed tree hugger but I like that saying you hear around camp sites... 'leave it how you found it'. Anytime i've gone camping even when clearing a spot to sleep (sticks, pine cones, stones.. ect.) we push them all back so the ground is, as it was.

We sell these at work:

Prepaid Recycling Kits

You can get them at Grainger or McMaster-Carr.

Maybe I can get one of these and collect lamps from local keepers.....

 

[sandrachameleon]

At a few every 6 months, I figure Im hardly making a difference to our Big blue landfill. Most things get recycled, but stuff like that?

What a sad attitude, Jo.
mercury and phosphorus poison the earth, that's what you should send them for recylce not just dump them.

 

[jojackson]

Sad attitude?
Hey now, Im betting you and others who seem to have a 'holier-than-thou' response to my honesty, all drive cars no? I dont! How about the harm YOU are causing?
What happens to all the fuel you burn? The tyres you dispose of? The batteries you dispose of?
I do leave nature as it is, 'take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints'.
I make a conscious effort to remain aware of the enviroment, I love nature.
Our city has a great recycling system, we have three wheely bins per household, general, recyclables, and green waste.
Our family recycyles 'everything' allowed by our law, every week. We recycle water for gardens and lawns, use energy saving appliences, lightbulbs, etc.
Our local council allows for twice annual 'general cleanup' of non recyclable stuff, but what they do with such things, I dont know. I suspect some is recycled, but other things are probly landfilled anyway.
We do our part.
Theres a hell of alot more than mercury and phosporus poisoning the earth Sandra.
How much of what you buy in your supermarket alone is produced by companys that probly dump harmful waste into the enviroment, threat of big fines or not.

Its a realistic attitude. Send me your address and ill send my old tubes to your place so you can do the right thing and feel all gooey and warm inside, please!

I took the libert of calling these folk and asking why they only offer commercial and industrial service but not for private consumers via local council pickup. The reply was simply, 'we dont do that, no'. A busness can register and pay $165 per box (approx 100 4ft tubes) and they will be collected, but tough cheese for private households apparently.
http://www.sita.com.au/our-services...uorescent-tubes-collection-and-recycling.aspx

I wonder what will happen with the millions and millions of energy saver compact flourescent bulbs we are forced now by law to use anyway? They probly contain phosporus too. Heck, send me $12,000au and Ill switch to solar power.

Power to rich as poor pay for solar power in flawed plan
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/mo...r-in-flawed-plan/story-e6frezc0-1225815746836

Environment ministers agree on national waste policy
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wes...nal-waste-policy/story-e6frg15c-1225794643952

Not cheap being green
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/mo...heap-being-green/story-e6frezc0-1225815743489

Pay more to save on lightbulbs
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...ve-on-lightbulbs/story-fn324b09-1225793129167