[rurallife] Re: Energy Saving Bulbs Disposal Advice
- From: Suzân Lewis-Jones <advertising.tilford@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <rurallife@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:50:57 +0100
Thank you for this. I did do a huge amount of checks first, including
Snopes.com before even considering sending this out. I have just been on
the website that you recommend and it reinforces what I wrote, so I don?t
feel I have been hoaxed or that I have passed on irrelevant information.
I am very grateful for your providing the website for further accuracy, and
for confirmation of the correct and safe disposal of energy saving light
bulbs. I have copied and pasted the information from the website you gave
me, and is identical to previously given.
How to recycle energy saving light bulbs
Energy saving bulbs contain a small amount of mercury ? just enough to cover
the tip of a ballpoint pen. This is needed to generate light efficiently.
The mercury can?t escape from a light bulb when it is being used, but you
must be careful of how you recycle them.
You shouldn't throw CFL bulbs into the normal rubbish or your household
recycling bins, as the mercury could escape if the bulb gets broken.
In most parts of the UK, CFL bulbs can be recycled at your local waste and
recycling centre. You can find your nearest recycling centre by contacting
your local council.
To find out more about mercury in light bulbs, visit the Defra website.
* Find your nearest waste and recycling centre Opens new
<http://www.recycle-more.co.uk> window
* Defra information on mercury in CFL bulbs Opens new window
<http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/products/roadmaps/lightbul
bs.htm>
How to deal with a broken CFL bulb
Accidental breakage is unlikely to cause any harm. All the same it's good
practice to reduce your exposure to mercury, and minimise the risk of cuts
from broken glass.
If you break a CFL bulb at home, you should open the windows for 15 minutes
and leave the room to air. Broken light bulbs should be carefully gathered
up with kitchen paper (not a brush, or vacuum cleaner), using rubber gloves
to protect your hands.
Wipe the area with a damp cloth afterwards, and put the broken pieces of
glass and the cloth into a plastic bag and seal it.
You must not throw the bag in your normal household rubbish, but take it to
your local waste and recycling centre.
Regards
Suzân
_____
From: rurallife-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rurallife-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Stephen O'Grady
Sent: 26 October 2011 20:32
To: rurallife@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [rurallife] Re: Energy Saving Bulbs Disposal Advice
Sorry to have to say this, but this is an old hoax which has been
circulating on the internet for several years.
The genuine current government advice is to be found here -
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving
/Energyandwaterefficiencyinyourhome/DG_179919
Regards
Stephen
From: rurallife-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rurallife-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Suzân Lewis-Jones
Sent: 26 October 2011 16:52
To: rurallife-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Rurallife-Bounce
Subject: [rurallife] Energy Saving Bulbs Disposal Advice
I had a disturbing e-mail with gruesome photographs attached concerning the
result of treading on a broken energy saving light bulb. I thought the
following would be helpful for those that have not come across this
information.
Suzân
Energy Saving Bulbs Disposal Advice
WARNING:
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued the
following advice on what to do if a low-energy light bulb breaks.
Evacuate the room, taking care not to step on the shards of glass littering
the floor.
Do not use a vacuum cleaner to clear up the mess as the machine?s sucking
action could spread toxic mercury droplets around the house.
Put on rubber gloves and sweep the debris into a dustpan.
Place the remains in a plastic bag and seal it.
Do not put the bag in a normal household dustbin.
Instead, place it in a municipal recycling bin for batteries which also
contain mercury or take it to a council dump where it can be disposed of
safely.
Try not to inhale dust from the broken bulb.
Other related posts:
