ARCHIVE
Issue 74
August 2, 2007

Weather Trivia

 You Asked Us

  Print Version            E-mail this Page            More Questions

I live in Brossard, Quebec. I bought a house that has a number of fixtures for fluorescent tubes and I don't know what to do with my tubes when they burn out. I don't want to put them in the garbage because they have mercury in them. Can you help me?

You are correct that these tubes contain mercury. Mercury is essential to their operation, and no practical alternative for it is known. The now popular compact fluorescent light bulbs also contain mercury.

Products containing mercury, such as fluorescent tubes, should be considered hazardous waste and should not be thrown in the garbage. Several municipalities offer programs that accept household objects that contain mercury. Some municipalities run programs that collect only mercury-containing objects, while others accept them during hazardous waste collection. If you wish to dispose of personal use fluorescent tubes, contact your municipality or provincial ministry for information.

The Earth 911 site provides a database (arranged by postal code) in which you can search for recycling centres or hazardous waste storage centres near you.

It is important that fluorescent tubes be disposed of appropriately to prevent the release of the mercury in the tubes. Recycling is the best way to dispose of these tubes. The tubes must be handled gently to ensure they do not break or implode and release the mercury. They should be kept intact to prevent the dangers from mercury vapour, broken glass and dust. It is a good idea to store burnt-out tubes in their original packaging or in boxes provided by recyclers to protect them from impacts that could break them.

We trust that you will find this information useful.

Thank you for your efforts in preventing mercury pollution.

Related Link:

• Earth 911
• Mercury and the Environment