How/Where do you dispose of old MH and HPS, etc. bulbs?

tstick

tstick

Well-Known Member
I've got a couple of old bulbs and an old ballast that have been hanging around since the late 80's. The ballast hums really bad when it's on….kinda makes me nervous to try and use it anymore! The bulbs don't put out much light anymore and the surfaces are dirty and kinda scratched up from moving around and years of storage….I have a hard time throwing things away! But I need to get rid of this stuff because it's junk. I don't thinks it's of use to anyone else. I'm pretty sure I can't just throw it all in the trash, though.
 
Rahz

Rahz

Well-Known Member
There should be a recycling center nearby. Think about how many CFLs get casually discarded in the trash. I used to work in a restaurant. When the manager would have some kids change the lights they would take the old ones outside and enjoy smashing them against the inside of the dumpster. I doubt more than 2-3 percent of the mercury used in light bulbs is reclaimed.
 
Stephenj37826

Stephenj37826

Well-Known Member
Rahz said:
There should be a recycling center nearby. Think about how many CFLs get casually discarded in the trash. I used to work in a restaurant. When the manager would have some kids change the lights they would take the old ones outside and enjoy smashing them against the inside of the dumpster. I doubt more than 2-3 percent of the mercury used in light bulbs is reclaimed.
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Remember that Seth Rogan movie where they where breaking 4' t8s over each others backs. I can't remember but it was funny as hell anyways.
 
FranJan

FranJan

Well-Known Member
tstick said:
I've got a couple of old bulbs and an old ballast that have been hanging around since the late 80's. The ballast hums really bad when it's on….kinda makes me nervous to try and use it anymore! The bulbs don't put out much light anymore and the surfaces are dirty and kinda scratched up from moving around and years of storage….I have a hard time throwing things away! But I need to get rid of this stuff because it's junk. I don't thinks it's of use to anyone else. I'm pretty sure I can't just throw it all in the trash, though.
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Home Depot/Lowes nowadays. Sometimes Staples will take certain stuff. Some local govt make stores take stuff these daze.
No garbageman to bribe?
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
tstick said:
I've got a couple of old bulbs and an old ballast that have been hanging around since the late 80's. The ballast hums really bad when it's on….kinda makes me nervous to try and use it anymore! The bulbs don't put out much light anymore and the surfaces are dirty and kinda scratched up from moving around and years of storage….I have a hard time throwing things away! But I need to get rid of this stuff because it's junk. I don't thinks it's of use to anyone else. I'm pretty sure I can't just throw it all in the trash, though.
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It's a magnetic ballast and they do buzz. Don't trash that thing!
 
tstick

tstick

Well-Known Member
Hi hotrodharley!

Okay I won't trash it quite yet….but I do know that it started humming a lot more loudly after several years of using it and towards the end, I was sure that something just wasn't right….is there any chance that an old magnetic ballast could start a fire or something dangerous? I don't like throwing things away, but at the same time, I don't want to burn down everything I own!
 
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