News-Record.com

For many people, the use of compact flourescent light bulbs in their homes is a no-brainer: they consume a fraction of the electricity needed to operate traditional light bulbs. But some people worry that the tiny amount of mercury in CFLs could poison or pollute.

Well, a new state Web site tells you how to appropriately dispose of them. Find here where to dispose of bulbs in Greensboro.

(Note: Only 32 of 100 counties in North Carolina have hazardous waste centers that can collect these bulbs, according to this. The price alone discourages many people from switching; now they are supposed to go out of their way to get rid of them?)

According to the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources:

"Tube or linear fluorescent lights are in widespread use in commercial, industrial and institutional settings in North Carolina, and CFL use is expanding rapidly in both the commercial and residential sectors. A study submitted to the state's General Assembly in March showed that from 2005-2007, CFLs jumped from 5 percent to 20 percent market share. The study estimated that 120 million fluorescents are in current use in North Carolina and 15 million lamps are ready to be discarded each year.

"However, since both tube lamps and CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, recycling fluorescent lights is the best way to minimize the release of mercury from the lamps to the environment. Despite their mercury content, energy-efficient fluorescent lights help achieve a greater net reduction in mercury by reducing the mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants."