“There are just a few ways to dispose properly of CFLs and throwing them in the rubbish is unquestionably not considered one of them,” said Jennifer Baron, waste management consultant at Golder Associates.
“Mercury can also be pervasive and accumulative so when it gets into the environment it bio-accumulates, especially near water bodies. So it is absolutely vital to eliminate these products properly.”
There are numerous ways the Recycling Council of Ontario recommends disposing of CFLs.
- drop off burned lights at your municipal waste depot or hazardous waste drop-off event
- retailers that will accept burned out CFLs include RONA, Canadian Tire and Ikea
NOTE: (CFLs) aren’t any longer accepted by Home Depot - businesses trying to properly eliminate compact fluorescent lights and tubes are encouraged to go to www.takebackthelight.ca
With a file from Dani-Elle Dube
