A fluorescent light bulb recycling program may be something as simple as taking the used bulbs from home or work to an authorized disposal center near you. While this is one way to help, the repeat trips to the center can become a hassle. For many, this could cause what may have started out as a noble act with the best intentions, to fall by the wayside.

The other, more viable option is to purchase a fluorescent light bulb recycling kit online. These kits are available for 4’, 8’ and compact fluorescent bulbs. The kits differ in price depending on the supplier but most start around $50.00. The kits includes disposal bags for each bulb, a shipping box to send them to the recycler and pre-paid shipping labels that take all of the effort out of recycling.

The kits are quite simple to use and are accompanied by a complete set of instructions. To use the majority of the kits, you simply bag each bulb individually, place them in the shipping carton, seal and send. The labels that are included are pre-paid and included in the initial cost of the kit.

Many office buildings and places of employment already have a program in place for the recycling of bulbs and other hazardous materials. For a smaller business, this particular avenue is the easiest way to comply with state laws on the disposal of lamps. By conforming to the rules set by the E.P.A. and many state and local authorities, a recycle program when properly used helps everyone.

Recycle Technologies, Inc. is a leader in Minnesota spent lamp recycling and more.

An average CFL lamp contains between 3.5 and 15 milliliters of mercury. Granted, this amount alone is not enough to pose a serious health risk (although spills must always be properly cleaned). Still, due to the sheer volume of light bulbs used worldwide, improper light bulb disposal could have catastrophic environmental effects, which is why diligent fluorescent light bulb recycling is so important.

One of the biggest concerns with mercury pollution is water pollution. Even a small amount of mercury can contaminate a fairly large area of water. Of course, the biggest threat in terms of mercury water pollution is fish contamination.

When mercury gets in the water system, it gets into eco-system and eventually into the food chain. This is particularly bad for humans that eat fish because pescatarians are very much a part of this mercury laced food chain. Larger fish generally contain the most mercury because larger fish prey on smaller fish that have also been exposed to mercury. Shark and swordfish often contain the highest mercury contamination amongst edible seafood, however, tuna poses the greatest threat because it is the most commonly consumed large fish.

Proper fluorescent light bulb recycling is just one of many steps that need to be taken to reduce mercury levels in our nations’ rivers, lakes, and seas. Industrial sites and coal power plants are probably the largest mercury pollution offenders. Still, recycling fluorescent bulbs is one part of mercury reduction where the individual can most certainly make a difference.

Recycle Technologies, Inc. is a specialist in Minnesota lamp recycling.