The fluorescent bulbs that millions of consumers have been switching to save money and energy must be carefully disposed of.Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Len Besthoff reported that the bulbs contain small amounts of toxic mercury vapor.Because of the small amounts of mercury, consumers need to use care when disposing of the bulbs."It's a very small amount of a very toxic chemical that does not have to be released into your home," said Steve Yates, an air compliance manager with the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority. "You shouldn't break them and throw them in the trash. You should be careful with them and make sure they get to a proper disposal facility."
Most consumers who spoke with Eyewitness News said that they were unaware that the bulbs needed to be disposed of differently than any other light bulb."The normal person would chuck it in the trash," Yates saidYates said the bulbs should be collected when they burn out and said there are numerous locations where the bulbs can be recycled."Talk to the people who sold you the bulbs. If you went to a local hardware store to buy them, give them a call and say, 'Do you accept these back for recycling?' Many places that sell compact fluorescent bulbs will accept them back for proper recycling," he said.Besthoff reported that consumers can also call their town or city hall to see when it participates in hazardous waste collection.
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