one of my CFLs burned out. i put it in either last year or the year before

[orleans]

and i thought they were supposed to last for a LONG time. it's in a ceiling light that has three sockets. the other two are fine.

so where do you take them to dispose of them? i know you're not supposed to toss it in the garbage. anyone know?

[ChoralScholar]

1. I went completely CFL

a few years ago, and I had one or two that haven't gone the distance. I guess they were just duds.

On disposal, this is from the EPA Website:

"If your state or local environmental regulatory agency offers no other disposal options except your household garbage, place the fluorescent light bulb in two plastic bags and seal it before putting it into the outside trash, or other protected outside location, for the next normal trash collection."

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/index.htm

[Phentex]

2. I posted about this in another forum...

geek that I am, I had put a date on the bulb when I put it in and it did not last nearly what they claim on the package. Now I find out that covered fixtures shorten the lifespan as well as any brown-outs or power surges. We replaced the bulb but I am keeping the cover off to see what happens.

Also, we have to recycle them at Home Depot which isn't nearby so it's kind of a pain, but we'll do what we gotta do! If you know the brand, you can google recycling centers in your area.

[Aristus]

3. My CFL's have lasted for ages. I wonder what the problem is with yours?

When they do finally burn out, I take them to the recycling collection bin at Home Depot.

[realisticphish]

4. I went full CFL a few years ago

I've never had one burn out :shrug:

I imagine that power surges and the like, plus a defect in an individual bulb, could make it go early