Charleston County sees light on recycling bulbs

Fluorescent type to be accepted

Fluorescent type to be accepted

It's not always easy being green. When Deborah Hirschhorn tried to throw out fluorescent light bulbs at the county's convenience center in Mount Pleasant, she couldn't find any containers for household hazardous waste.

Knowing that these bulbs contain mercury, a potent neurotoxin, she drove across the county to the Bees Ferry landfill, which takes these materials. "I have to admit that, had they fit in my trash can, I wouldn't have gone to the additional effort," she said.

Hirschhorn's experience highlights how difficult it can be to properly dispose of fluorescent light bulbs, batteries and other items that contain mercury and other dangerous chemicals.

That's changing, at least when it comes to fluorescent bulbs. On Thursday, Charleston County officials unveiled a new program for residents interested in recycling their compact fluorescent bulbs.

Residents can now take these bulbs to eight convenience centers in the county, said Theresa Martin, marketing specialist for the county's solid waste and recycling department. The county then works with Cleanlites Recycling of Spartanburg to recycle the bulbs and other household hazardous materials.

Some cities and states have laws against people tossing out compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs contain an average of 5 milligrams of mercury, about the amount of the tip of a ballpoint pen. While most experts say these bulbs pose minor health threats, the Environmental Protection Agency still warns people to open windows, avoid vacuuming and wear rubber gloves when cleaning up a broken fluorescent bulb.

Jim Conley, an avid recycler, said he found it difficult to recycle household hazardous waste. He recently went to the Bees Ferry Landfill to get rid of some batteries and saw a sign saying, "We do not take these types of batteries: AAA, AA, C, D, 9-Volt. They are trash and should just be thrown away. Thank you."

Older batteries contain mercury, and newer ones contain heavy metals and acid. The EPA and many states consider spent batteries hazardous waste.