Home Depot offers FREE CFL recycling program on clarkhoward.com

Clark has long been a big advocate of reducing his electric bill by using compact fluorescent lights in his home. It used to be that Clark installed CFLs in overhead fixtures and his wife put traditional bulbs in all the lamps. But now they're doing almost all CFLs through the house.

They've also done a lot of retrofitting with attic insulation, duct work improvements and weather-stripping around windows and doors. Their energy bill has fallen by about 40%, though complete payback is still several years away.

CFLs are a no-brainer in terms of savings. They cost about $1.10/bulb at the warehouse clubs -- which is still 4 times as much as a traditional bulb. Yet you may save up to $60 over the life of a CFL.

One of the biggest impediments to widespread CFL adoption has been the environmental angle. They're seen as a hazard by some because CFLs contain small amounts of mercury.

Now Home Depot has launched a FREE nationwide CFL recycling program. With safe disposal becoming a reality, Clark can feel good about recommending CFLs!

He is, however, a bit surprised that Wal-Mart or Sam's Club didn't beat Home Depot to the punch. But Home Depot has so many stores that most Americans live within 10 minutes of one, which makes recycling easy.

As Clark has said before, CFLs are just a transitional technology before LEDs (light-emitting diodes) become commonplace in the average American home. LEDs are already showing up in the homes of the ultra rich.

What others are saying

CFL
I purchase a pack of 6 CFL's Daylight at Costco for $13. Had no problems with them burning out or breaking...how often do you really break a bulb. I think last time I broke one I was a child. Anyway, lighting is great and definitely worth the cost...I mean that's less than 3 dollars a bulb and uses A LOT less energy. Instead of 75W uses 18W...that's a huge difference.It would take 4 bulbs to reach that one and still only 72W....if you add up, you can light the whole room with 4 lamps instead of one for the same watts. ( not that we really need all those 4 lamps but you get what I mean )Also the newer ones have a lot less traces of those chemicals than the older CFL's. ( at least the ones I bought at Costco ) We have seen big savings and I know I'm doing one other simple thing to help secure the future of our planet for our kids and family. You think you don't make a difference but if I do it, and you do it and everyone else starts doing it, it DOES make a difference. Trust me, going green is much easier than you think and it really does SAVE YOU MONEY in the end!!!
By Kathy @ 04/26/09 02:11:38 AMreport abuse
CFL Bulbs Do NOT LAST Reply
Did you actually write on the bulb itself? Any sort of foreign substance written or placed on the actual bulb will make it die.
By Curtis @ 02/23/09 12:04:25 AMreport abuse
CFL Bulbs Do NOT LAST
Clark,
I'm NOT pleased with CFL bulbs ! When I installed them , I wrote dates on them so, I could check to see if they were durable. NOT ONE has lasted over six months. They cost too much , they don't last & I'm PO'd that you recommend them . Do the test, they DO NOT last !!!
By Mitch @ 10/23/08 09:41:06 AMreport abuse
I'll conserve, so you dont have to
Every bulb in my house is a CFL bulb in all different kids and wattages. I have never had any burn out. Some are even over 5 years old. I am so tired of the "older" generation complaining about conservation, global warming not existing, etc.. The whole reason MY generation has to take drastic measures, is because THEY chose to live a wasteful and polluting life.
No worries, the christian thing to do is not be wasteful and to take care of God's gifts to us (the Earth)
People who dont care will continue to come up with millions of excuses why they are not going to care about the environment. Those people will never change. Forget them, they are just trying to poison the well.
By Lori @ 08/19/08 07:51:14 PMreport abuse
CFLs
I took 2 CFL bulbs that burned out back to HD to return. They told me the model number wasn't theirs so they couldn't give me a new one. I told them I heard they did CFL disposal and brought them in a ziploc bag with me. They didn't know what I was talking about and just offered to throw it away in the trash for me. I took them up on the offer. Better there than the mercury dissipating in my house.
For a bulb that is supposed to last 5-7 yrs, it's kinda a pain in the backside
By Peter @ 07/31/08 11:41:23 AMreport abuse
CFL durability
How many of the cfl bulbs need recycling at this point? I thought they were supposed to last 5 - 7 years. I tried cfls for my 5 can lights in my kitchen. Only one lasted a year. They were Sylvania brand and not even close to 5 years but cost me a bunch more to buy.
By Rich @ 07/28/08 07:26:15 PMreport abuse
CFL's
I think you should do more to warn of the dangers of breaking a CFL in your home. You passed over this hazzard. Check out what the EPA has to say about clean up of the product.
By Richard Smalley @ 07/02/08 04:21:04 PMreport abuse
homes depot recycle
working for HD i know they really don't recycle all that much they trash a lot of merchandise that could be used or donated to someone, they toss way too much plastic that comes from packaging
By g @ 07/01/08 07:21:21 PMreport abuse
CFL
More $$ for Al Gore?? He invented the internet and now "global warming" which he says is a done deal (he has made $100 million on it so far). Our government demanding we use a certain type bulb? What next? Toilet paper??? How many people can leave their residence for 30 minutes right after one of these bombs breaks????? I am a Sr. Cit and I am stocking up on incandescent until they find something that does not emit toxins. We had lead and mercury and now Al wants to induce mercury into our lives again. Maybe broken bulbs and waste should be sent to him. By the way, Gore is paying more now for energy in his humongous home than he did before all the environmental/global warming fix-ups. Go figure...
By Joan @ 07/01/08 05:41:28 PMreport abuse
CFL lighting
I have tried the 60 watt equivalent (does not put out enough light) and the 3 way which I really like. Maybe the 3 way is not as energy saving. Anyone know?
By Marilyn @ 07/01/08 01:23:15 PMreport abuse
CFL and LED lighting
I want to save energy/costs, etc., but I still don't like the type light they put out - not bright enough or too (in your face) bright with the LED. I'm waiting for improvement on that front, which I think will happen.
By Faye Ragan @ 07/01/08 11:27:39 AMreport abuse
Recycling CFL's
Ikea recycles all sorts of things, including light bulbs and batteries.
By Page Walden @ 07/01/08 09:06:09 AMreport abuse
How to determine Best light choice out of a CFL
Instead of looking at lumens, look at the Kelvin rating of a CFL bulb...I have found the best light comes from the 6500K bulbs, which is close to the color temperature of daylight. Lumens are just a function of how much light emitting surface area the bulb has...you will see a 100w "light equivalent" CFL bulb just has more coils than a 60w "light equivalent" CFL bulb for more light emitting surface area.

If the CFL bulb package does not list color temperature of 6500k, or "Daylight" type CFL bulb, don't buy it.

This also extends to T12 type flourecent "straight" bulbs...get the 6500K ones, for a whiter, "brighter" light
By RK @ 07/01/08 12:43:30 AMreport abuse
CFL
I am having trouble finding the correct CFL to replace a regular buld and get the same illumination. Any hints?
By walt speelman @ 07/01/08 12:26:21 AMreport abuse
CFL bulbs
Yes, they contain mercury and their danger isn't that, it's that if someone should drop one, the mercury would be exposed which is very dangerous. It would be great if Home Depot would also get out the word on how not to touch the parts and how to dispose of it so as to minimize exposure to the mercury.
By Miriam Miller @ 06/30/08 08:31:59 PMreport abuse
CFLs
I bought a 60W CFL, after our old 60W burned out. I am very disappointed at the amount of light that the new one puts out. The new one seems very, very dull.
By Penny @ 06/30/08 05:01:19 PMreport abuse
fluorescent lightbulbs
I've heard these bulbs can cause migraine headaches to occur to people who suffer with this ailment. Have you seen or read about this comment?
By Frances @ 06/30/08 02:43:49 PMreport abuse
Environmentalists LIKE CFLs
Even if you toss them in the trash, the CFLs are BETTER for the environment and have LESS environmental impact (even WITH the trace mercury) than traditional bulbs. The person below who says they won't use them is just uninformed. Traditional bulbs burn a lot more electricity. The bulk of mercury poision comes from power plants. Net net using a CFL and tossing in the trash yields LESS mercury in the environment overall than using a traditional bulb. Now you know.

Also, if you drop one you don't have to call hazmat. Open all the windows and leave the room/house for 30 minutes. That's all. The mercury is in vapor, not in solid form on the floor. It will just float out the window.
By Wako Environmentalist @ 06/30/08 01:29:29 PMreport abuse
CFL
No doubt they do save energy. However, they will fade color photographs as well as prints of paintings. Also, the light produced isn't as "mellow" as older bulbs.
By Jerry @ 06/30/08 12:55:08 PMreport abuse
CFL
When it burns out I just throw it in the trash.
By Robert @ 06/30/08 08:05:49 AMreport abuse
CFLs
The mercury is the issue here. I'm all about conservation, but not at the risk of my comfort and health.
By Eddie @ 06/26/08 06:20:08 PMreport abuse
CFLs and People
Love your show learning a lot but I will not use CFLs because of the mercury.

I would love to believe that that most people would dispose of them properly but being that I work with the general public I doubt they will.

Most of the CFL will end up straight in the garbage can and broken (just like batteries). We already have mercury problems in our fish and fellow citizens and if more people start using CFL it will get worse and the Sanatation workers and garbage sorters will be the first to start getting sick and having problems and it will spread from there.

I refuse to poisen my fellow citizens (and morons) to save a little.

I am glad to hear LED's are becomming more popular and that is the way to go and I hope everyone hold out for LED's

I already have LED flashlights and lights and they were not that expensive and don't burn out.

Oh yeh, buy a solar powered LED exterior light and mount it inside next to a window (or drill a small hole in your wall then seal it) put the panel outside and you will have free light for 2o to 30 years.
By Leonhard Ott @ 06/26/08 09:34:10 AMreport abuse
CFL bulbs
Research before buying, I was told these bulbs contain mercury and if one becomes broken..how much is the contamination worth? Exposure to ones children, pets, etc.
By Susan @ 06/25/08 04:19:49 PMreport abuse

CFL

I purchase a pack of 6 CFL's Daylight at Costco for $13. Had no problems with them burning out or breaking...how often do you really break a bulb. I think last time I broke one I was a child. Anyway, lighting is great and definitely worth the cost...I mean that's less than 3 dollars a bulb and uses A LOT less energy. Instead of 75W uses 18W...that's a huge difference.It would take 4 bulbs to reach that one and still only 72W....if you add up, you can light the whole room with 4 lamps instead of one for the same watts. ( not that we really need all those 4 lamps but you get what I mean )Also the newer ones have a lot less traces of those chemicals than the older CFL's. ( at least the ones I bought at Costco ) We have seen big savings and I know I'm doing one other simple thing to help secure the future of our planet for our kids and family. You think you don't make a difference but if I do it, and you do it and everyone else starts doing it, it DOES make a difference. Trust me, going green is much easier than you think and it really does SAVE YOU MONEY in the end!!!

By Kathy @ 04/26/09 02:11:38 AMreport abuse

CFL Bulbs Do NOT LAST Reply

Did you actually write on the bulb itself? Any sort of foreign substance written or placed on the actual bulb will make it die.

By Curtis @ 02/23/09 12:04:25 AMreport abuse

CFL Bulbs Do NOT LAST

Clark,
I'm NOT pleased with CFL bulbs ! When I installed them , I wrote dates on them so, I could check to see if they were durable. NOT ONE has lasted over six months. They cost too much , they don't last & I'm PO'd that you recommend them . Do the test, they DO NOT last !!!

By Mitch @ 10/23/08 09:41:06 AMreport abuse

I'll conserve, so you dont have to

Every bulb in my house is a CFL bulb in all different kids and wattages. I have never had any burn out. Some are even over 5 years old. I am so tired of the "older" generation complaining about conservation, global warming not existing, etc.. The whole reason MY generation has to take drastic measures, is because THEY chose to live a wasteful and polluting life.
No worries, the christian thing to do is not be wasteful and to take care of God's gifts to us (the Earth)
People who dont care will continue to come up with millions of excuses why they are not going to care about the environment. Those people will never change. Forget them, they are just trying to poison the well.

By Lori @ 08/19/08 07:51:14 PMreport abuse

CFLs

I took 2 CFL bulbs that burned out back to HD to return. They told me the model number wasn't theirs so they couldn't give me a new one. I told them I heard they did CFL disposal and brought them in a ziploc bag with me. They didn't know what I was talking about and just offered to throw it away in the trash for me. I took them up on the offer. Better there than the mercury dissipating in my house.
For a bulb that is supposed to last 5-7 yrs, it's kinda a pain in the backside

By Peter @ 07/31/08 11:41:23 AMreport abuse

CFL durability

How many of the cfl bulbs need recycling at this point? I thought they were supposed to last 5 - 7 years. I tried cfls for my 5 can lights in my kitchen. Only one lasted a year. They were Sylvania brand and not even close to 5 years but cost me a bunch more to buy.

By Rich @ 07/28/08 07:26:15 PMreport abuse

CFL's

I think you should do more to warn of the dangers of breaking a CFL in your home. You passed over this hazzard. Check out what the EPA has to say about clean up of the product.

By Richard Smalley @ 07/02/08 04:21:04 PMreport abuse

homes depot recycle

working for HD i know they really don't recycle all that much they trash a lot of merchandise that could be used or donated to someone, they toss way too much plastic that comes from packaging

By g @ 07/01/08 07:21:21 PMreport abuse

More $$ for Al Gore?? He invented the internet and now "global warming" which he says is a done deal (he has made $100 million on it so far). Our government demanding we use a certain type bulb? What next? Toilet paper??? How many people can leave their residence for 30 minutes right after one of these bombs breaks????? I am a Sr. Cit and I am stocking up on incandescent until they find something that does not emit toxins. We had lead and mercury and now Al wants to induce mercury into our lives again. Maybe broken bulbs and waste should be sent to him. By the way, Gore is paying more now for energy in his humongous home than he did before all the environmental/global warming fix-ups. Go figure...

By Joan @ 07/01/08 05:41:28 PMreport abuse

CFL lighting

I have tried the 60 watt equivalent (does not put out enough light) and the 3 way which I really like. Maybe the 3 way is not as energy saving. Anyone know?

By Marilyn @ 07/01/08 01:23:15 PMreport abuse

CFL and LED lighting

I want to save energy/costs, etc., but I still don't like the type light they put out - not bright enough or too (in your face) bright with the LED. I'm waiting for improvement on that front, which I think will happen.

By Faye Ragan @ 07/01/08 11:27:39 AMreport abuse

Recycling CFL's

Ikea recycles all sorts of things, including light bulbs and batteries.

By Page Walden @ 07/01/08 09:06:09 AMreport abuse

How to determine Best light choice out of a CFL

Instead of looking at lumens, look at the Kelvin rating of a CFL bulb...I have found the best light comes from the 6500K bulbs, which is close to the color temperature of daylight. Lumens are just a function of how much light emitting surface area the bulb has...you will see a 100w "light equivalent" CFL bulb just has more coils than a 60w "light equivalent" CFL bulb for more light emitting surface area.

If the CFL bulb package does not list color temperature of 6500k, or "Daylight" type CFL bulb, don't buy it.

This also extends to T12 type flourecent "straight" bulbs...get the 6500K ones, for a whiter, "brighter" light

By RK @ 07/01/08 12:43:30 AMreport abuse

I am having trouble finding the correct CFL to replace a regular buld and get the same illumination. Any hints?

By walt speelman @ 07/01/08 12:26:21 AMreport abuse

CFL bulbs

Yes, they contain mercury and their danger isn't that, it's that if someone should drop one, the mercury would be exposed which is very dangerous. It would be great if Home Depot would also get out the word on how not to touch the parts and how to dispose of it so as to minimize exposure to the mercury.

By Miriam Miller @ 06/30/08 08:31:59 PMreport abuse

I bought a 60W CFL, after our old 60W burned out. I am very disappointed at the amount of light that the new one puts out. The new one seems very, very dull.

By Penny @ 06/30/08 05:01:19 PMreport abuse

fluorescent lightbulbs

I've heard these bulbs can cause migraine headaches to occur to people who suffer with this ailment. Have you seen or read about this comment?

By Frances @ 06/30/08 02:43:49 PMreport abuse

Environmentalists LIKE CFLs

Even if you toss them in the trash, the CFLs are BETTER for the environment and have LESS environmental impact (even WITH the trace mercury) than traditional bulbs. The person below who says they won't use them is just uninformed. Traditional bulbs burn a lot more electricity. The bulk of mercury poision comes from power plants. Net net using a CFL and tossing in the trash yields LESS mercury in the environment overall than using a traditional bulb. Now you know.

Also, if you drop one you don't have to call hazmat. Open all the windows and leave the room/house for 30 minutes. That's all. The mercury is in vapor, not in solid form on the floor. It will just float out the window.

By Wako Environmentalist @ 06/30/08 01:29:29 PMreport abuse

No doubt they do save energy. However, they will fade color photographs as well as prints of paintings. Also, the light produced isn't as "mellow" as older bulbs.

By Jerry @ 06/30/08 12:55:08 PMreport abuse

When it burns out I just throw it in the trash.

By Robert @ 06/30/08 08:05:49 AMreport abuse

The mercury is the issue here. I'm all about conservation, but not at the risk of my comfort and health.

By Eddie @ 06/26/08 06:20:08 PMreport abuse

CFLs and People

Love your show learning a lot but I will not use CFLs because of the mercury.

I would love to believe that that most people would dispose of them properly but being that I work with the general public I doubt they will.

Most of the CFL will end up straight in the garbage can and broken (just like batteries). We already have mercury problems in our fish and fellow citizens and if more people start using CFL it will get worse and the Sanatation workers and garbage sorters will be the first to start getting sick and having problems and it will spread from there.

I refuse to poisen my fellow citizens (and morons) to save a little.

I am glad to hear LED's are becomming more popular and that is the way to go and I hope everyone hold out for LED's

I already have LED flashlights and lights and they were not that expensive and don't burn out.

Oh yeh, buy a solar powered LED exterior light and mount it inside next to a window (or drill a small hole in your wall then seal it) put the panel outside and you will have free light for 2o to 30 years.

By Leonhard Ott @ 06/26/08 09:34:10 AMreport abuse

Research before buying, I was told these bulbs contain mercury and if one becomes broken..how much is the contamination worth? Exposure to ones children, pets, etc.

By Susan @ 06/25/08 04:19:49 PMreport abuse

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Jun 25, 2008 -- Home Depot offers FREE CFL recycling program

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