squiggly lightbulbs need special recycling!

[nittanyalum]

Is this common knowledge or am I not the only one out of the loop?

I love my squiggly lightbulbs mainly because I feel like I never have to change lightbulbs anymore, they last for-ev-er. Plus, they use less energy and are good for the environment yada yada yada.

Or so I thought! I don't think I've thrown one away yet, but I'll be honest, if I did or were to before I read this article, I would have just tossed it in the trash without a second thought. Why isn't it more well-known that they need special disposal and handling? Interesting article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23694819/

Shining a light on hazards of fluorescent bulbs
Energy-efficient coils booming, but disposal of mercury poses problems

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, long touted by environmentalists as a more efficient and longer-lasting alternative to the incandescent bulbs that have lighted homes for more than a century, are running into resistance from waste industry officials and some environmental scientists, who warn that the bulbs’ poisonous innards pose a bigger threat to health and the environment than previously thought. ...see article link for more...

[carnation]

Oh, great. We just had 2 burn out. Now my husband, Mr. Green Earth, will insist on giving them the correct funeral.

[Benzgirl]

What the....?
I always use them in places that I hate getting to (like the garage and in the crawl space). I had one last over 10 years in the garage.


"It's not easy being green"... Kermit the Frog

[texas*princess]

It's all over the packaging... at least the GE ones that I buy. I've also seen a few random news segments locally.

[scbelle]

All CFCs have a little mercury that can pollute landfills if the bulb is broken. There are a few "low mercury" varieties, which I guess means even less mercury than the little bit the bulbs hold regularly. They still need special treatment, though. If you buy at IKEA, they have a take-back program, or if you don't live near an IKEA, then you can find a special recycling program in your area at www.earth911.org or www.lamprecycle.org.

[RACooper]

True they require special recycling just like any fluorescent light because of the mercury (tube ones, streetlights, and these CFLs), but most hardware chains and the like have disposal bins for them up here in the lighting section, just like they have battery disposal bins in the battery sections.

[RaggedyAnn]

Thank you. I would have never thought about it.

[Tom Earp]

I alsofind that they do not give the same amount of light that a regular bulb does.

If they made them in higher light value I would be more interested in them. The only ones I have seen are 60 watt. I am only using one at the moment just for that reason. I am sure that when the one for the garage door, garage, and utilitiy room go, I will use the ones I have.

[Army Wife'79]

I have them in every socket in the house, but I recently read they "flicker" very fast (too fast for the naked eye) and can cause brain disturbances/migranes/seizures in people who are prone. I get migranes. So now am wondering if I really should be using them. Sigh. I'm trying so hard to be environmentally green but don't want to up my risk for more migranes. So far I haven't seen a huge increase in headaches, but will keep an eye on it.

[bluefish81]

Originally Posted by Army Wife'79

I have them in every socket in the house, but I recently read they "flicker" very fast (too fast for the naked eye) and can cause brain disturbances/migranes/seizures in people who are prone. I get migranes. So now am wondering if I really should be using them. Sigh. I'm trying so hard to be environmentally green but don't want to up my risk for more migranes. So far I haven't seen a huge increase in headaches, but will keep an eye on it.

I guess I'm confused that if the flicker is to fast for the naked eye, how is it going to bother someone who has problems with that type of effect? I'm prone to seizures and I'm very conscious of strobe lights, repeated flashing light patterns etc., and I guess I'm curious how if I don't see something how it will effect me. Every seizure I've had in the past has involved me actually being able to view a flashing light in some way/sequence or another. I've been using the compact flourescents for quite awhile now.

[Tom Earp]

Because the eye cannot see the flicker, doesn't mean that it isnt there.

Kind of like the hand is quicker than the eye.

For no more than my regular lights are on except for reading (one does need illumination so it wont hurt the eyes by eye strain), I an not going to add just to add them.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Army Wife'79

I have them in every socket in the house, but I recently read they "flicker" very fast (too fast for the naked eye) and can cause brain disturbances/migranes/seizures in people who are prone. I get migranes. So now am wondering if I really should be using them. Sigh. I'm trying so hard to be environmentally green but don't want to up my risk for more migranes. So far I haven't seen a huge increase in headaches, but will keep an eye on it.

Terribly interesting! I have them everywhere, too, and never connected them to my need three times as many Imitrix as normal. I was blaming it on someone with whom I work!

Has anyone read about how to handle a broken bulb? It's like a Haz-Mat site!

[Army Wife'79]

I can't remember where I saw the article on the flickering causing the migranes, but if you google it you could prob. find it. I'm not going to be living on pain pills just to use squirrley light bulbs so I'm being aware of it. It said it didn't affect everyone but some people.
Migranes, grrrrrrr. Had 'em since I was 16 and my D in college does also.

[LatinaAlumna]

Thanks for posting this! I just installed a bunch and didn't know about the special recyclying they call for. Good looking out, Nittanyalum!

[shinerbock]

I feed the old bulbs to manatees.