trashing florescent tubes

[Kevin54]

Whatever you do, don't put them on the floor to break, then sweep up. Put them in the trashcan, put a trashbag over the top of them, then tap with a hammer. This will keep everything contained. Putting them on the floor and smashing them sends white dust and shards all over the place.

I swear, I think at times some people have not ever done what they say to do themselves. Smashing on the floor makes a hell of a mess, not to say that if you have pets, they can get a shard in their foot/feet. Think ahead, and think about the next person and/or pets. I won't let my dogs in the garage if I been running my lathe or mill because of metal shavings on the floor. They are only allowed in after I sweep everything up. I'd hate to see them step on a shard of glass from a fluorescent light and get a possible infection from the mercury or the powder.

So if you decide to bust them, protect the lamps with a trashbag over the top that covers the lamp. Besides that, they don't just shatter, they explode because they are under pressure.

 

[BillK]

I'd hate to see them step on a shard of glass from a fluorescent light and get a possible infection from the mercury or the powder.

Kevin,

Coincidence that you brought this up. One of my customers was in here yesterday and that is exactly what happened to him. He doesn't know if it got in his shoe somehow or how he picked it up. Him being diabetic didn't help any because he did not notice it for a few days. It got so bad they were going to amputate his foot but managed to save it somehow.

We did a lot of stupid stuff when we were kids but we didn't know any better. As much information as there is about almost anything now days it surprises me that a post like this would even be started.

 

[BigE]

I just looked into this over the past weekend as I have 2 8' T12 tubes that need to go. Home Depot and Lowes both have recycling programs that you can check out on their respective websites. However, my search was inconclusive as to whether tubes were accepted or just CFLs. Many places that recycle lamps specifically accept CFL's with no mention of tubes. However, I did find that all BatteriesPlus stores accept fluorescent lights including tubes.

I think the reason that more people don't recycle is that people make it so damn difficult. Manufacturers will put all of these products out (CFLs, paint, etc.) touting their ease of use but have no plan or allowance to dispose of them when the time comes. Moreover, the popular rhetoric is that you absolutely cannot dispose of X item in the trash, but then no one will tell you how to get rid of it otherwise. I'd be glad to recycle anything I can if the process is made reasonable. Hell, I recycle metal and batteries than almost isn't worth the gas to do it, but I do it because the burden to do so is reasonable and it keeps materials out of landfill. I'm certainly no fan of the EPA or so-called "greenies", but I'm more than willing to do what is reasonable in the best interest of the country/planet/society.

 

[fteufert]

While recycling is great and important, I happen to live where properly disposing of chemicals and fluorescent bulbs is difficult.

Sure there are laws in place, but locally there is no easy way to do it. Sure I can pay and mail my bulbs somewhere, but I am sure they will break on the way.

My local landfill takes fracking fluid and shavings, with the states approval, so a little mercury can't be that bad. Pennsylvania only cares about the billionaire landfill owner and the revenue it produces for the DEP. Oh, this same landfill owner runs the county recycling center under a contract, and charges for many items being dumped there. He pays $50,000 a year and is supplied prison workers to do most of the work.

Hell, we just had some mystery fluid go thru the sewer system and the local DEP can't find the source, even though there are only 15 or so businesses on the line.

Also, the landfill owner had a leak on one of his other properties and 50,000 gallons of #6 heating oil flowed thru the sewers into the river. And again, no fines or big deal.

But if one of us homeowners breaks a light bulb, we will get prosecuted.

In summary, I would gladly recycle plenty if it wasn't so much of a challenge. My bulbs stand up in my garbage can, since Pennsylvania states recycling them is only "highly recommended", and allows them to go to landfills.

 

[Two Door]

Whatever you do, don't put them on the floor to break, then sweep up. Put them in the trashcan, put a trashbag over the top of them, then tap with a hammer. This will keep everything contained. Putting them on the floor and smashing them sends white dust and shards all over the place.

...

So if you decide to bust them, protect the lamps with a trashbag over the top that covers the lamp. Besides that, they don't just shatter, they explode because they are under pressure.

The real issue is the mercury you will breath and absorb. Plastic doesn't contain mercury, only glass will.

However, as others have said, proper disposal can be very difficult. I don't tend to bash government, but when laws are set up mandating disposal without also providing the means to do so, this just makes lawbreakers out of those who might otherwise comply.

 

[Falcon67]

I prefer to recycle. 4' bulbs don't fit well in a 3 1/2' tall trash can LOL. I've got a stack of batteries I need to deal with too.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Our local landfill will take fluorescent bulbs for recycling, even if you don't have a permit.

 

[woodzy]

Just wait until the Star War movie is out and they will become lightsabers for the neighborhood kids to play with...

 

[simpler=better]

While recycling is great and important, I happen to live where properly disposing of chemicals and fluorescent bulbs is difficult.

Sure there are laws in place, but locally there is no easy way to do it. Sure I can pay and mail my bulbs somewhere, but I am sure they will break on the way.

My local landfill takes fracking fluid and shavings, with the states approval, so a little mercury can't be that bad. Pennsylvania only cares about the billionaire landfill owner and the revenue it produces for the DEP. Oh, this same landfill owner runs the county recycling center under a contract, and charges for many items being dumped there. He pays $50,000 a year and is supplied prison workers to do most of the work.

Hell, we just had some mystery fluid go thru the sewer system and the local DEP can't find the source, even though there are only 15 or so businesses on the line.

Also, the landfill owner had a leak on one of his other properties and 50,000 gallons of #6 heating oil flowed thru the sewers into the river. And again, no fines or big deal.

But if one of us homeowners breaks a light bulb, we will get prosecuted.

In summary, I would gladly recycle plenty if it wasn't so much of a challenge. My bulbs stand up in my garbage can, since Pennsylvania states recycling them is only "highly recommended", and allows them to go to landfills.

This post sums up everything that's wrong with PA. Don't get me wrong, I like PA, but the people running the place are nightmares.