If you are taking global warming seriously, chances are you changed your light bulbs for the more energy efficient fluorescent ones, which can last up to 10 years and produce less carbon emissions.

But do you know what’s the environmentally-friendly thing to do when these bulbs stop working?

It’s easy: Drop them off at a local chemical collection center.

Why you can’t just put them in the recyclables bin? Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, which can be an environmental hazard if not properly dispossed.

Below is a list of locations throughout South Florida that take and recycle your unbroken coiled compact fluorescent lights -known as CFLs- and the long-tube type fluorescent bulbs. Plus, the centers also take chemicals such as pesticides and pool chemicals, so you can save the trip until you accumulate a few things to drop off.

>>Note: If you can’t get to any drop-off site below, check here a list of local Home Depot stores that accept used CFLs too.

Have you been properly disposing your fluorescent bulbs? Let us know your story!

Drop-off locations in Miami:
West Miami-Dade:
8831 NW 58th St.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed. through Sun.

South Miami-Dade:
23707 SW 97th Ave., Gate-B.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed. through Sun.

Drop-off locations in in Broward:
Pompano Beach
2780 N. Powerline Rd. (north of Copans Rd.)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fri. and Sat.

West Park
5601 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. (east of US 441)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fri. and Sat.

Drop-off locations in West Palm Beach:
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
6161 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach
Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Fri; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
(Saturday is self-serve drop-off containers only)

Delray Beach
South County Transfer Station (unattended)
1901 SW 4th Avenue
Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Fri; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Jupiter
North County Transfer Station (unattended)
14185 Military Trail (SWA Road)
Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Fri; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Royal Palm Beach
West Central Transfer Station (unattended)
9743 Process Drive (previously Fairgrounds Road)
Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Fri; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Belle Glade
Glades Regional Transfer Station (unattended)
1701 State Road 15
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon-Fri; 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays.

Lantana
Central County Transfer Station (unattended)
1810 Lantana Rd., Lantana,
Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Fri; 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays.

Photo by Dano

Feeling guilty about throwing away burned music CDs with hits you now have in your mp3 player?

Of maybe getting rid of that CD with and old presentation you don’t want to ever think about?

Every year, millions of CDs and CD cases end up in landfills, and this is why the CD Recycling Center of America was founded in 2006. They try to recycle as many CDs as they can, and the best thing is they do it at no cost (ok, just a suggested donation but there is no obligation).

They work with individuals, but also encourage people to create CD recycling centers (boxes) at their jobs or schools. Their site has a lot of tips on how to get your coworkers thinking about CD recycling.

All they ask is for you to separate CDs, cases and booklets inside a box and ship it to them.

Visit their site for more information

We all have a drawer where the broken alarm clock, cell phone, chargers and extensions go. Sounds familiar?

Yes, we hope that one day we’ll find a use for them, or that someone will fix them. Unfortunately, most of these things end up in landfills, along with the thousands of computers, TVs, microwaves and other electronics we throw away every year.

While regular recycling programs don’t provide a way to dispose of e-waste, there are a few things you can do in South Florida:

>>The site Earth911 helps you find recycling centers in your area by item: paint, batteries, computers, etc.

??The site My Green Electronics allows you to find e-waste recycling facilities within your area by doing a zip code search (there are more than a dozen in or around Central Miami).

>>Call2Recycle helps you dispose of cell phones and batteries by providing you with envelopes and free shipping.

>>Some AT&T stores have broke or old cell phone drop-off boxes (no matter the phone’s brand). Check which one near you does here.

>>Best Buy has electronics drop off boxes in all of its stores, and hosts recycling events annually.

>>Earlier, I blogged on the Recycling Center for America, which disposes of CDs and DVDS.

>>You can also find a list of resources at the Environmental Protection Agency e-waste site.

Here are answers to the usual things we wonder before recycling electronics:

Privacy
Many people worry about their privacy and personal information that might remain in computer. Even if you delete all your information before donating a computer (which is highly recommended) technicians at the recycling facility must also follow a hard drive cleaning policy, so there’s nothing to worry about. If you still want to be sure, you can get a hardware cleaning software.

Cost
Many drop-off recycling centers will take your electronics for free, but some will charge you, especially if you are disposing of commercial waste. Call ahead to check of this and other policies. I know at least of one center that requires proof of residency.

Reusable electronics vs junk
Many recycling facilities are non-profits that repair electronics and donate them to schools and organizations. This means they won’t be able to do much with physically-damaged equipment. Check with them before dropping off anything.

What do you do with your e-waste? What has your experience been like with local recycling facilities? We’d love to read your comments.

Photo by greenbk