Fluorescent tube disposal/recycling

[ricochet]

We have a couple fluorescent tubes to get rid of. Where can you take these in the Urbandale/West Des Moines area to get rid of them?

 

[rebecacy]

i just break them and throw them in the trash

 

[Agclone91]

You can throw them in the trash as long as you break them

 

[tim_redd]

You can throw them in the trash as long as you break them over your friend's skull.

fixed

 

[urb1]

The checker at Home Deport told me the last time I was buying fluorescent lights that Home Depot now recycles them.

 

[Cy4Patriots]

Trash

 

[CloneAbuse]

Unless you want to breathe mercury vapor I wouldn't break them...recycle

Edited for Link:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110706144459.htm

 

[cyclonedave25]

There's more mercury in Tuna fish than a Fluorescent light. You're fine with breaking them unless you plan on breaking a few thousand of them and inhaling all of the dust.

 

[CloneAbuse]

There's more mercury in Tuna fish than a Fluorescent light. You're fine with breaking them unless you plan on breaking a few thousand of them and inhaling all of the dust.

While the amount is small, they should still be recycled. Mercury is a potent substance. It's not a toxic cleanup event, but should still be handled with care...

Snopes: snopes.com: CFL Mercury Light Bulbs

 

[CYphyllis]

As someone that actually works in the environmental arm of the government, I would say your best bet would be a creek or a nearby ditch.

We actually have a facility that accepts and disposes fluorescent tubes (not in DSM). I can guarantee you they aren't dumb enough to break those things open without protection and they sure as hell don't put them in the trash.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Just don't lick the shards, and you will be fine.

 

[fatkid1974]

40 year old virgin style light saber fights.

 

[MissouriCyclone]

Why can't we just keep the old ones and we wouldn't need to worry about this ****?

 

[CYphyllis]

40 year old virgin style light saber fights.

A solid idea until the DNR shows up. They have a way of ruining a persons day over things like that.

Not a fun group to deal with.

 

[twojman]

Why can't we just keep the old ones and we wouldn't need to worry about this ****?

These new 'long lasting' lights are burning out left and right at my house. I have been getting pretty ticked about it.

 

[Cyvilian]

Home Depot or Lowes. Just take them to the customer returns area as you enter the store.

 

[dxmonger]

You could take the long tubes to the top of Legends tower and shout "I'm Thor" as you hurl them towards the street.


As for the dumb CFLs (compact replacement for good old edison filament lights) - I stay away from them. I bought a few cases of the old style dirt cheap awhile ago. The CFLs emit electronic noise which is horrible on radio reception. Try putting an AM radio near a CFL... booo.

 

[BCClone]

Old bigger ones -- break them. Skinnier new ones -- need to recycle unless you want waste mgmt or whoever garbage guys are breathing down your neck. Menards or most home improvement stores will.

Easiest way is to go to home improvement store and place them in the back of their delivery pickups. It's free that way and they don't mind.