disposing of flourescent lights

[davemchine]

The house I bought this last summer has lots of flourescent lighting, the tubes don't fit in a garbage can without breaking, and I'm not sure how to dispose of them. Since it's a guy dumping my trash can into the truck I'm reluctant to smash the bulb in the trash can. How do you handle this?

Dave

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Recycle them. Contact your county solid waste department.
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0604027.html
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/demo...ights.html

[OWC Jamie]

We have a transfer station here where you can bring hazardous waste and recycleables.
Bringing the long tubes there is a pain, but I do it. I have lots of long cardboard tubes around to put them in.


Before that, I used to put them in a cardboard tube and whack it, when the dust 'settled' , slide the mess into the garbage, being careful not to inhale the mercury, cadmium and lead 'dusts'.


I have almost a gallon of mercury to bring some day.

[OWC Larry]

Mercury can be recovered from the recycling of Flourescent bulbs - and it's profitable for the recyclers - check your local - don't dump, recycle - win/win.

[shanedar]

Two words: sword fights!

[Don Kiyoti]

You take them out to the railroad tracks and throw them like spears.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

[quote Don Kiyoti]You take them out to the railroad tracks and throw them like spears.
You tape a D battery to one end and then slide it down a 2" pipe that is 8' long and hooked up to 300 psi air supply via a 1/4 turn ball valve. They fly about 600 yards.

[Dick Moore]

Thanks, Filliam, all I need now is a 300psi air supply!