These don't belong in your trash

Fluorescent lamps are an ideal way to lower energy costs. This not only saves you money on your energy bill, it means less mercury is emitted from your power plant.

The mercury contained in normal fluorescent lamps can be harmful to humans. When these lamps are discarded in the trash and then placed in a landfill or incinerated, the mercury is released. If enough lamps are discarded this way, the mercury can affect and contaminate the food chain, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The same mercury expulsion is a concern for many of the high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps used in commercial environments.

The answer is simple: recycle. Lamp recycling is required by the government. Make sure you understand the recycling laws in your area.

State regulations for businesses and contractors
Mercury and the environment