That’s how Carrboro resident Autumn Thoyre reacted when a compact flurorescent bulb (CFL) broke in her apartment. The bulbs contain mercury — something CFL supporters don’t really like to discuss when they push for government to ban incandescents and mandate the CFL bulbs. In fact, the question of proper disposal is now, at least in part, a government issue and expense. Jon Ham blogged about this issue yesterday. In Orange County, someone is paid to crack them open, and the state is working on a disposal plan as well. From this Herald-Sun story:
The bulbs can still pose a problem if consumers dispose of them in ordinary landfills, said Robert Taylor, Orange County recycling programs manager.
“Not everybody uses proper practices when disposing of an end-of-life bulb,” he said.
Burned-out fluorescent bulbs and lamps should be taken to the household hazardous waste collection facility on Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill, he said.
Taylor said the county pays a contractor to break fluorescent bulbs inside special chambers that capture the mercury vapor. But if bulbs are already broken, it is safe to dispose of them in an ordinary landfill, he said.
“If it’s broken, the majority of the hazard is gone,” he said. “It’s just trash.”
The popularity of compact fluorescent bulbs is pushing government officials to expand disposal options.
Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilfordo, said that the state Department of Natural Resources is developing a program that would encourage retailers to take back used bulbs.
