Stop Mercury Pollution With Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling

Many homes and businesses use fluorescent light bulbs as their primary light source. This is not necessarily a bad thing as fluorescent light bulbs are one of the most efficient types of light bulbs and are much more energy efficient. However, if not disposed of properly, fluorescent light bulbs pose a monumental environmental risk. This is why fluorescent light bulb recycling is imperative for anyone that uses fluorescent light bulbs.

Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, and mercury can be very harmful to the environment. In fact, it is estimated that one teaspoon of mercury is enough to contaminate a large 20 acre lake. This is a serious concern considering that each year around 600 million fluorescent lamps are dumped in US landfills, an action that creates an estimated 30 thousand pounds of mercury waste.

According to the EPA, approximately 70 thousand pounds of mercury is released into the atmosphere each year from incinerators all across the nation. This excess mercury is contaminating fresh and salt water alike, and this contamination has serious short-term and long-term repercussions. Consider this, one in six newborn American children have been exposed to mercury levels high enough to put them at risk for learning disabilities, memory impairment, and motor skill impairment.

We need to start taking fluorescent light bulb recycling more seriously immediately. Releasing mercury into our water system may create horrific and irreversible damage to the environment and to human health in general. There is absolutely no reason for this kind of carelessness.

Fluorescent light bulb recycling is simple, cost effective, and should be a tax write-off for most small businesses. The bulbs can be placed in a simple recycling bag, which is then placed in a bucket that is retrieved by Fed-Ex. One minor extra step in waste disposal can have immediate positive effects on the earth’s water system. The choice seems simple. This is too important for laziness.

Recycle Technologies, Inc. is a leader in Minnesota fluorescent light bulb recycling.

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