SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Recycling at home or work has become part of our daily routine, but one ubiquitous device that still raises questions over disposal is light bulbs. Do they go out with the normal trash? Get tossed in recycling containers? Do you save them for the next neighborhood e-waste event? The answers aren’t easy, thanks in part to new technologies to Thomas Edison’s illuminating invention along with society’s growing environmental concerns.
A 60-day initiative to help raise awareness on how citizens and companies can properly recycle lighting devices launched on Aug. 20. The Green Lights Initiative is sponsored by LEDtronics, one of the largest U.S.-based manufacturers of LED products. Besides donating to Keep America Beautiful with a check purposely dated Nov. 15 to coincide with America Recycles Day, the Torrance, Calif.-based company is taking to social media, print and electronic media to get the word out. New and long-time supporters of proper lighting disposal will be urged to sign an online petition at Change.org.
“‘When my light bulbs burn out, where do I put them?’ Being in the lighting business for nearly 40 years, we get that question a lot,” said Shaan Lodhie, LEDtronics’ chief operating officer. “Our company makes only LEDs, which are safe to dispose of in trash bins because they contain no hazardous chemicals. But that’s not necessarily the right option for environmental, safety and other reasons. When it comes to CFL and fluorescent bulbs, both of which contain small amounts of mercury, chucking them in the trashcan or with the recycling isn’t wise for intensified reasons.”
LEDtronics’ donation to Keep America Beautiful will help the non-profit with its mission to “inspire and educate people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment.”
Tips on Disposing Light Bulbs
When a real light bulb goes out, how great it would be if an imaginary light bulb appeared over your head to signal a bright idea for what to do next. With so many types of lighting on the market, even a single home or business can have multiple ways to illuminate. Materials being shared through the Green Lights Initiative include a “how to” on properly disposing and recycling the most common types of light bulbs. Here’s a summary of tips by lighting category:
If you need help finding a recycling center that accepts bulbs, visit search.earth911.com or batteriesplus.com/t/recycling/Light-Bulb.
Courtesy: https://www.wasteadvantage.com
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