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Compact Florescent Light Bulb Disposal

One relatively new and up and coming product is the Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulb. CFL bulbs are a type of light bulb that uses a significantly less amount of energy and has a longer life-span than traditional light bulbs. CFL’s generally have a minimum lifespan of 6,000 hours compared to the average 750 hour lifespan of traditional light bulbs. Depending on the type of CFL bulb you purchase the price CFL Light Bulbranges from $2-$15 but the EPA’s Energy Star Program estimates that at least $30 per bulb will be saved in energy costs. This amount saved will greatly offset the higher purchasing price of CFL’s compared to traditional light bulbs. The following quote from the EPA’s Energy Star program exemplifies the savings made by using this type of light bulb. “If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGYSTAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.” It is clear that the savings from switching traditional light bulbs to CFL’s is great for individual, national and global monetary, energy and environmental savings.

Unfortunately, even though CFL’s are so much more energy efficient than traditional bulbs, there is a downside. The problem with CFL’s is that they each contain a small amount of mercury. The mercury is actually what is responsible for making the bulb so energy efficient. Even though the amount of mercury is very small, it is still classified as a hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. This should not discourage anyone from purchasing them! The benefits of their use are significant and proper disposal is easy! 

You can take them to the Minutemen Hazardous Products Facility one Saturday per month. There is no charge for Waltham residents at the facility as municipal taxes cover the cost. See here for a full list of dates, as well as other items that can be taken to this facility.