Energy Saving Light bulbs

We all know how good these bulbs are for saving energy but I thought I would share some information on the disposal of them. Here is some information from Philips who make the energy saving bulbs that Warm Zone are currently giving out for free. Obviously we shouldn't stop using them but please keep the information in mind when it comes to disposing of the product.

http://www.lighting.philips.com/microsite/homelighting/gb_en/

Why do energy saving lamps contain small amounts of mercury?

Energy saving fluorescent lamps are completely out of harm’s way. No mercury is emitted from lamps when in use; they are safe with regard to human health and the environment. They contain a very small amount of mercury in order to radiate light. Besides fluorescent lamps, the other energy saving lamp technologies do not use mercury, for instance halogen energy savers.

What should you do with a compact fluorescent lamp when it burns out ( what is the proper disposal procedure)?

In Europe, all CFLi lamps have to be disposed of as special waste (under EWC Code 20 01 21 - Fluorescent tubes and other mercury-containing waste). Furthermore, as part of its obligations under the EU’s WEEE Directive1), the European lighting industry has set up a European-wide recycling infrastructure, capable of recycling mercury, as well as other metals, glass etc. All CFLi lamps display the crossed out wheelie bin logo. This means that they should not be disposed of in household waste but should be brought back to the shop or to local waste facilities to be recycled. Is it dangerous when a compact fluorescent lamp breaks?

Breaking a lamp is extremely unlikely to have any impact on your health. The effects of exposing the human body to mercury from a broken energy saver are always undetectable. It would only be if several lamps broke every day exposing you to the mercury, that there may be a health concern that needs to be assessed. A CFLi contains less than 5 mg of mercury per lamp. By comparison, a typical thermometer has between 500 and 3,000 milligrams of mercury, depending on its size. It would take 100 fluorescent lamps to equal that amount. What should I do if the lamp breaks?

Since energy saving fluorescent lamps are made of glass tubing and can break if dropped or roughly handled, care should be taken when removing the lamp from its packaging, installing or replacing it.

Breaking a lamp is extremely unlikely to have any impact on your health. Proper clean up and adequate ventilation minimises the impact even further. If a lamp breaks, ventilate the room for 20-30 minutes, dispose of the parts - preferably with gloves - and put them in a closed plastic bag in the rubbish bin. It is advisable not to use a vacuum cleaner so that the remaining parts will not stay in the filter.