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CFL Disposal

How to Dispose of Your CFLs Properly

Several household products contain mercury. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) present an opportunity to prevent mercury from entering our air, where it most affects our health. A CFL uses 75% less energy than an incandescent light bulb, therefore, reducing mercury emissions by the same percentage. And, a CFL lasts at least six times longer than an incandescent bulb.

When products with mercury, such as CFLs, are broken, disposed of improperly or incinerated, they release mercury into our environment. While federal solid waste rules do not legally considered CFLs for your home hazardous waste, it is still best for the environment to dispose of them properly upon burnout. Recycling programs exists for mercury in older non-digital thermostats and mercury thermometers, but residential CFL recycling programs are just now appearing. Only large commercial users of tubular fluorescent lamps are required to recycle. Residential recycling programs are not yet available in most regions. The website www.earth911.org will identify your nearest residential mercury recycling facility or mail disposal method. Just choose “Fluorescent Bulbs,” enter your zip code and click “GO.” The automated hotline, 1-800-CLEAN-UP, can also give you the same information. If the site or hotline number does not have your local information, call your local or municipal government entity responsible for waste collection or household hazardous waste.

As energy-efficient lighting becomes more popular, it is important that we dispose of the products safely and responsibly. If you break a CFL, clean it up safely. And always dispose of it properly to keep CFLs working for the environment.

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Waynesville Physical Address

376 Grindstone Road
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 452-2281 or (800) 951-6088
(828) 926-4290 Fax

Lake Toxaway Physical Address

298 Blue Ridge Road
Lake Toxaway, NC 28747
(828) 966-4215
(828) 883-3874 Fax

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©2022 Haywood EMC. All Rights Reserved.

  • About Us
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Board of Directors
    • Management Team
    • Employment
    • Cooperative Principles
      • Cooperative Difference Video
    • Service Territory Map
    • Together We Save
    • News Posts
  • Member Services
    • Application for Electric Service
    • Capital Credits
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate Retirements
      • Outstanding Capital Credits
    • Project HEMC
    • Service Rules & Regulations
    • Staking Department
    • Co-op Connections
    • Rate Schedules
      • EV Rates
      • Time Of Day Rates
    • Safety
      • Storm Preparedness
      • Safety Quiz
    • Billing Information
      • Easy Ways to Pay
      • How To Read Your Bill
      • Delinquent Bill Timeline
    • Forms
      • Service Order Form
      • Medical Condition And Equipment Form
    • HOPE Program
    • Smart Meter Energy Usage Data Privacy/Security Advisory
    • Text Outage Alerts
    • Title VI Statement of Non-discrimination
    • Tree Trimming
  • Products
    • Generlink
    • HomeServe Protection Plans
    • Surge Protection Program
    • Generators
      • Generator Loan
    • Heat Pumps
      • Heat Pump/Weatherization Loan
    • Security Lighting
  • Your Community
    • Bright Ideas Grants
    • The Haywood EMC Podcast
    • Carolina Country Magazine
    • TSE Sports Camp Scholarship
    • News
    • TSE Scholarship
    • Youth Tour Application
  • Energy Efficiency
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Whole House Energy Audit
    • CFL Disposal
    • NC GreenPower
    • Together We Save
    • Home Energy Adventure
    • Energy Star Home Advisor
  • Renewable Energy
    • Renewable Energy Site Assessments
      • Solar Site Assessment
      • Hydro Site Assessment
      • Wind Turbine Site Assessment
    • Renewable Rates
      • RGR Rate
      • RGS Rate
    • Solar with Haywood EMC
      • Certificate Of Completion
      • Typical Components Of A Solar Interconnected System
    • Contracts With Haywood EMC
    • Renewable Energy Information
    • Renewable Energy Sources
    • Interconnection With Haywood EMC
      • Interconnect Application