New twisty light bulb disposal?

[South County]

Calling Recycle Michael...

I've heard these new bulbs which are twisty in shape (not the old bulb shaped kind) contain mercury[xx(] and shouldn't be thrown away in the normal trash. Is this true and if they go bad how is a person supposed to "properly" dispose of them[?]

[joiei]

Good question.  I have wondered why they would require a light bulb that could possibly be even more dangerous to the environment and its inhabitants than a regular old bulb even though it might require more power.  What is the payoff.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by joiei

What is the payoff.

The payoff is that the trace amounts of Mercury in Compact FLuorescent lamps is much, much less than the amount of Mercury released into the air by the utility company generating the electricity needed to provide the same amount of light with older incandescent lamp(s).

Disposal of old CFL lamps is where we might realize the value of a successful recycling program.

In the meantime, ask the city how it disposes of all the used Sodium and Metal Halide lamps used in streetlights (which contain significant amounts of mercury BTW).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by joiei

What is the payoff.

The payoff is that the trace amounts of Mercury in Compact FLuorescent lamps is much, much less than the amount of Mercury released into the air by the utility company generating the electricity needed to provide the same amount of light with older incandescent lamp(s).

Disposal of old CFL lamps is where we might realize the value of a successful recycling program.

In the meantime, ask the city how it disposes of all the used Sodium and Metal Halide lamps used in streetlights (which contain significant amounts of mercury BTW).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp

Patric, has the City of Tulsa gone entirely to LED on the traffic signals?  

[RecycleMichael]

We collect all flourescent bulbs at our twice-a-year Fairgrounds Pollutant event. The next one is the first weekend in April.

The twisty bulbs contain about five milligrams of mercury. The power companies produce mercury while burning coal. The bulbs use about 30% less energy. The breakeven point is about two years for a bulb used six hours a day.

Here is a website we have set up for more information...

http://www.mercuryfreetulsa.com/

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

has the City of Tulsa gone entirely to LED on the traffic signals?

I dont have an 'inside' on the replacement effort, but I observed a big initial push to replace incandescent lamps in high-traffic areas while others went untouched.
You can usually tell the signals that were left behind by their drab color or burn marks inside the lens.

I dont think there is an energy consumption "quota" on traffic signals like there are on streetlights... would have to look at the franchise PSO has with the city.

[joiei]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by joiei

What is the payoff.

The payoff is that the trace amounts of Mercury in Compact FLuorescent lamps is much, much less than the amount of Mercury released into the air by the utility company generating the electricity needed to provide the same amount of light with older incandescent lamp(s).

Disposal of old CFL lamps is where we might realize the value of a successful recycling program.

In the meantime, ask the city how it disposes of all the used Sodium and Metal Halide lamps used in streetlights (which contain significant amounts of mercury BTW).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp

THanks Patric, your answer and the link helped me.  I have been switching over, now I know more about the reasons behind the switchover.

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

We collect all flourescent bulbs at our twice-a-year Fairgrounds Pollutant event. The next one is the first weekend in April.

The twisty bulbs contain about five milligrams of mercury. The power companies produce mercury while burning coal. The bulbs use about 30% less energy. The breakeven point is about two years for a bulb used six hours a day.

Here is a website we have set up for more information...

http://www.mercuryfreetulsa.com/

Slightly OT: RM, wasn't there something in a third-penny package to create a year-round drop-off center for pollutants? What's the status of that?

[mrhaskellok]

Regional Drop-off center?

This is coming from someone who lives just outside of Tulsa...are there facilities for dropping of these hazardous materials in Tulsa that accepts them from sources other than Tulsa City/county?

Thanks!

RecycleMicheal, I would love to chat with you more about what recycling options there are for neighboring communities to get involved in Tulsa's recycling programs.

Sid

[RecycleMichael]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates

Slightly OT: RM, wasn't there something in a third-penny package to create a year-round drop-off center for pollutants? What's the status of that?

Yes. The third penny vote had $500,000 for engineering and design of such a facility. It was included in the fire department funding.

I don't know the status and I don't know who to ask.

[RecycleMichael]

quote:Originally posted by mrhaskellok

Regional Drop-off center?

This is coming from someone who lives just outside of Tulsa...are there facilities for dropping of these hazardous materials in Tulsa that accepts them from sources other than Tulsa City/county?

Thanks!

RecycleMicheal, I would love to chat with you more about what recycling options there are for neighboring communities to get involved in Tulsa's recycling programs.

Sid

I won't turn you away at this event unless you are are a commercial generator. I usually get one or two cars from Haskelleven though Haskell doesn't pay for this service.

My phone has been ringing off the hook with communities wanting to join the M.e.t. lately. Coweta just joined and Oologah, Catoosa, Skiatook, Tahlequah, and Ponca City have all inquired in the last few days. I now work for 11 local communities and the state and the feds. The red tape and pace is killing us. It is almost impossible to work for big cities, small towns, counties, and state and federal agencies. They all have such different priorities.

I can't keep up with all the work and have to consistently say no. I am so busy just keeping up with the pace and we have 40 Earth Day related events in the next six weeks. My staff is working 60 to 70 hours a week including all day, two or three nights a week and most Saturdays and Sundays.

I am also trying to expand the Tulsa centers and am trying to raise money to put a recycling center in Brookside.

PM me and I will talk more...