Recycling CFLs Improves, but Mercury-Free LEDs May Win Out

LightRecycle Washington said recently that it has recycled one million fluorescent tubes, compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) and other mercury-containing lights since it began a statewide free collection program in January 2015. The group, run by the non-profit PCA Product Stewardship firm out of Canada, is the only entity licensed by the Washington Department of Ecology to collect the bulbs in the free program. Peter Thermos, program manager at LightRecycle, says it’s been difficult to get people to understand that the bulbs are a household hazard unless disposed of correctly. CFLs each contain about 4 mg of mercury