| While the energy savings from new types of light | | | | since the powder may linger inside attachments. |
| bulbs are very welcome, they are still a work in | | | | After donning plastic gloves, very carefully pick up |
| progress and we have to exercise some care in their | | | | visible glass fragments. Use a stiff piece of cardboard |
| disposal. The correct methods of disposal may vary | | | | to pick up powder that is in small piles, and then put |
| from state to state. These general guidelines will help | | | | it into the glass jar or Ziploc bag. Use a dampened |
| you be sure your used bulbs are not contributing to | | | | paper towel to pick up any residues, and then add it |
| pollution, either in your home or as part of the bigger | | | | to the other materials used, carefully removing your |
| picture. This guide will detail all you need to know to | | | | gloves and placing them inside prior to sealing. |
| remove either whole or broken bulbs from your | | | | Cleaning: Clothes and shoes |
| home to an EPA approved place. | | | | Lightly contaminated areas on clothes and shoes |
| Disposal of Non-CFL Light Bulbs | | | | should be first gently shaken into the "dirty" bag or |
| Broken or whole light bulbs are always at risk of | | | | jar, and then cleaned with a damp tissue in the same |
| injuring your trash collection workers, unless clearly | | | | manner as other surfaces. More heavily contaminated |
| marked. Double-bagging can help safeguard workers | | | | clothes, shoes or furnishings should be emptied into |
| from cuts, especially from broken bulbs. To remove | | | | the bag, as above, and considered as items for the |
| this risk completely, consider adding them to your | | | | trash rather than the washing machine, unless they |
| recycling collection, or starting one if you do not have | | | | are particularly valuable or hard to replace. |
| this set up. For a few minutes work, you gain the | | | | Cleaning: Finishing Touches |
| satisfaction of knowing your trash is not a part of | | | | Open all the doors and windows, as soon as all the |
| the global problem. | | | | bag or jar is sealed and turn on devices that were |
| CFL Light Bulbs Disposal | | | | shut off during the process. This will disperse any |
| The correct method for disposing of your home's | | | | remaining powder in the air. The clean up is now done |
| spent light bulbs depends on their type and whether | | | | and the proper disposal via acceptable sites is the |
| whole or fragmented. The recent trend for energy | | | | next step.. |
| efficient bulbs (often known as CFLs, or compact | | | | Disposal: Safe Sites for CFL Bulbs. |
| fluorescent lights.) saves you money at the cost of | | | | Spent whole light bulbs are accepted at IKEA stores |
| using a small amount of mercury in the manufacture. | | | | and various recycling facilities found by |
| This amount of mercury is considered by the | | | | calling1-800-CLEAN-UP or using your zip code at Local |
| government too small to be a serious hazard to | | | | authorities will also be able to inform you of the sites |
| health, but since few who buy them know their | | | | they have approved for safe disposal of CFL bulbs. |
| contents, ensuring a proper clean up and disposal | | | | General Disposal Advice: Don'ts |
| after a CFL bulb breaks will give homeowners peace | | | | *Throw CFL bulbs in with the regular trash, to avoid |
| of mind. | | | | breakage and spreading of their contents. |
| Safely Clean Up & Dispose of Broken CFLs. | | | | *Pass CFL bulbs to disposal companies who incinerate |
| Each CFL bulb has up to 5 milligrams of mercury | | | | their trash, since his releases mercury into the |
| inside. This is not usually a problem as they are harder | | | | atmosphere. |
| to break than the standard incandescent bulbs. Since | | | | *Don't breathe in deeply over the spill area. Move |
| the amount of mercury used in CFLs is very small | | | | away if you feel a sneeze coming on. |
| and in a powder form, cleaning up broken bulbs | | | | *Never vacuum the spilt power from a CFL as a first |
| involves following some simple rules. | | | | measure, as this can contaminate the air and vacuum |
| Contain the Spill: Evacuate | | | | bag. |
| Remove all pets, children and pregnant women from | | | | *Clean up in flowing sleeves or hems that may catch |
| the room before cleaning up. The powder from a | | | | up powder and redistribute it in other places. |
| broken light bulb is a small amount, but can become | | | | *Leave a child, pet or pregnant woman in the room, |
| airborne from breezes, fans, air from vents for | | | | while cleaning up. Have them step outside while a |
| cooling and heating and the movement of clothes | | | | clean up is in process. |
| passing by the area. Turn off all devices which move | | | | * Rush into a clean up Think first, and then check |
| the air in the room and close all doors to the rest of | | | | there are appropriate supplies. |
| the house, and windows, for the few minutes it | | | | *Allow air conditioning, heating vents and fans to |
| takes to get the powder off surfaces, then open all | | | | spread the contents of CFL bulbs. |
| of them to dilute any tiny amount of powder that | | | | General Disposal Advice: Do's |
| escapes into the air. | | | | *Always check the appropriate place for disposal of |
| Contain the Spill: Clothes and Shoes | | | | all light bulbs for your location with local authorities |
| If any powder landed on clothes, remove them and | | | | *Consider using regular incandescent bulbs in rooms |
| place on newspaper, covering with a fresh sheet, to | | | | such as children's bedrooms if there is a chance of |
| deal with after the other area is cleaned up. Take off | | | | breakage due to very low ceilings. |
| any shoes which were splashed with powder during | | | | *Consult a specialist cleaner for hard to reach areas |
| the breakage to ensure it does not travel around the | | | | such as the insides of any heating or cooling ducts, |
| house with you while collecting cleaning materials. | | | | since they may carry the dust to other areas of the |
| Outside spills can be covered with newspaper while | | | | house. |
| you assemble the tools you need to safely remove | | | | *Always safely contain any pets or small children who |
| the powder and glass shards. | | | | may come into contact with the powder while you |
| Cleaning: Getting Ready | | | | collect cleaning materials. |
| You will need the following items: a pair of rubber or | | | | Conclusions Regarding Disposal of CFL Bulbs |
| plastic gloves, a safe container for the broken bulb | | | | Our clean up tips are based on the rules the |
| and any paper towels, tissues or tape used in this | | | | government issues for any hazardous substance. If |
| process (a Ziploc bag or a lass jar with a lid are | | | | you are unsure of the nature of any spill, a quick call |
| perfect. A flashlight can aid to illuminate any small | | | | to local government agencies is in order. |
| shards stuck in carpet pile or other furnishings. | | | | The situation with these light bulbs is one of |
| Remember to mark a Ziploc bag or jar with its | | | | accepting a very small risk in return for larger energy |
| contents and a warning, before placing it safely out | | | | savings. New technologies under development mean |
| of reach until it can be taken to an official depositary. | | | | your children will have safer and easier ways to light |
| Cleaning: Safety First | | | | their homes without dealing with even the tiny |
| The vacuum should not be used for this clean up, | | | | amounts of mercury powder in CFLs. |