According to Energystar.gov, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs):
- Use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
- Save $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime.
- Produce about 75% less heat, so they’re safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.
To operate more efficiently, CFLs contain a very small amount of Mercury. For proper disposal and recycling, consider:
Drop-Off Programs*
- Home Depot - accepts fluorescent bulbs only, no tubes
- Lowe's - accepts fluorescent bulbs at the customer service desk, no tubes
- IKEA - accepts all fluorescent bulbs and tubes
- Broadview Waste Services, 7610 Energy Parkway, Curtis Bay, MD 21226. For more information, call (410) 437-6590.
- Howard County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days (residential use only)
Where: Alpha Ridge Residents' Convenience Center
When: Saturdays in April-November, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*Visit Earth911.org for specific locations
Mail-in Programs
- Waste Management offers kits for recycling various items. Fill the prepaid boxes with the appropriate items and mail to Waste Management. Visit www.ThinkGreenFromHome.com for more information.
- Visit www.officedepot.com for more information about Office Depot’s bulb recycling toolkit.
Broken CFLs
Here is information about proper handling of broken bulbs.
Other CFL Resources
http://www.epa.gov/cfl
www.energystar.gov
www.lamprecycle.org
www.earth911.com
NOTE: Howard County does not endorse independent programs or retail locations.