I had to look up what the suggested method of CFL disposal is in Connecticut (one of the states that are considering a ban on incandecent bulbs). Here is what the CT dept of environmental protection says:
“Business and other non-residential generated mercury lights are subject to state hazardous waste laws and regulations that prohibit their disposal in the solid waste stream. CFLs and other fluorescent lighting generated by residents are exempt from these disposal restrictions. However, the Department strongly encourages residents to recycle their lamps through town drop offs and household hazardous waste collections. By recycling your burned out CFLs, you help keep mercury out of our environment.” (source: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2708&q=378846)
My read on this: In Connecticut, there is a household hazardous waste collection schedule. You need to know when and where to go by checking on the DEP website. The larger cities have about 10 collection days a year. Towns typically have one day a year. Small town residents need to travel to larger towns.
IOW - it is a major hassle to dispose of a CFL light bulb. Since it is not illegal to simply throw them in the trash, I’m guessing that 95% of the residents will simply throw them in the trash.
So what have the environmentalists done? They’ve substituted a fake problem (global warming) with a real problem (mercury contamination of landfills).
My read on this: In Connecticut, there is a household hazardous waste collection schedule. You need to know when and where to go by checking on the DEP website. The larger cities have about 10 collection days a year. Towns typically have one day a year. Small town residents need to travel to larger towns.
IOW - it is a major hassle to dispose of a CFL light bulb. Since it is not illegal to simply throw them in the trash, I’m guessing that 95% of the residents will simply throw them in the trash.