What to do with Dead Batteries and Burned Out CFLs???

[Mrs. Robinson]

Our landfill has probably already gone to hell in a hand basket because of all the plastic bags we are required to put our trash in, but . . .

does anyone know where we can get rid of dead batteries and burned out CFL light bulbs (they contain mercury)? They are both frightening contaminates that can leach into ground water.

We all need to be respectful insofar as what we regard as "trash!"

[Villager Joyce]

We are not forced to use plastic bags. We purchased and use reusable bags aka brown bags.

[Carl in Tampa]

We are not forced to use plastic bags. We purchased and use reusable bags aka brown bags.

For trash? The OP mentioned trash.

In response to the OP, The Villages CCD has published a document about disposing of hazardous waste. It can be read at:

http://www.districtgov.org/images/whatsnew/HOUSEHOLD-HAZARDOUS-WASTE-PROGRAMS.pdf

[Villager Joyce]

For trash? The OP mentioned trash.

In response to the OP, The Villages CCD has published a document about disposing of hazardous waste. It can be read at:

http://www.districtgov.org/images/whatsnew/HOUSEHOLD-HAZARDOUS-WASTE-PROGRAMS.pdf

You are right. I misread tbe post. The preachy tone made me go blind.

[Mrs. Robinson]

For trash? The OP mentioned trash.

In response to the OP, The Villages CCD has published a document about disposing of hazardous waste. It can be read at:

http://www.districtgov.org/images/whatsnew/HOUSEHOLD-HAZARDOUS-WASTE-PROGRAMS.pdf

Thank you Carl. I'll call them.

[Mrs. Robinson]

You are right. I misread tbe post. The preachy tone made me go blind.

My "preachy tone" was intentional.
Most Americans could care less about what they throw out and how they do it.
They only care about today and could care less about tomorrow and the effect it will have on future generations.
American thinking and behavior is much too disposable.

[Mrs. Robinson]

I believe you can recycle CFL bulbs at Home Depot. I'm not sure if they take single use batteries. If I remember correctly when you go inside, the receptacle for the bulbs is to the left inside the customer service/returns area. You may want to call them first to make sure they still offer the service.

I never noticed that receptacle but will check it out.
I appreciate the information.

[Madelaine Amee]

My "preachy tone" was intentional.
Most Americans could care less about what they throw out and how they do it.
They only care about today and could care less about tomorrow and the effect it will have on future generations.
American thinking and behavior is much too disposable.

That is a very broad brush you are using to paint us all as irresponsible, believe me there are many Americans who do care about our environment and our world.

[Mrs. Robinson]

That is a very broad brush you are using to paint us all as irresponsible, believe me there are many Americans who do care about our environment and our world.

Madelaine -- of course many Americans care about the environment. But too many people only do what is convenient. Yes -- by and large, Americans are lazy! Too many people can't be bothered and usually will give a lame reason for not doing what's best for the long haul. May I cite a few examples?

Buying bottled water. The bottles are a hazard and they cannot all be recycled because the use of them is rampant; there are just too many of them.

Pest control. Forget the rest of the country for right now. Does everyone in The Villages think they are going to be carried off into the sunset by roaches or other critters? Each home does NOT need contractual pest control. Homeowners should only treat a problem if they have one.

Plastic bags: The amount in landfills is worse that the bottle issue. While I understand Villagers prefer plastic bags over trash cans and recycle bins, one can't doubt that if we have, say, 10,000 homes @ 3 bags (bare minimum!) per home per week, that's an unconscionable amount of plastic which does not disintegrate easily; it takes many years, especially for the heavy duty trash bags.

The above are the three biggies. Of course, there is more. I could go on, but won't.

Many people do not recycle. On trash day I see cans and bottles in some of the semi see-thru bags. In inner cities the problem is worse; people just don't care.

So if you think I am using a very broad brush painting most people as irresponsible, I beg to differ with you. In this wonderful country of ours, I am right on the money!

[LitespeedRider]

So if you think I am using a very broad brush painting most people as irresponsible, I beg to differ with you. In this wonderful country of ours, I am right on the money!

I am betting you have never been to China, Africa, and many other nations in Asia. If you had, you would realize just how fruitless your argument is.

And the light-bulbs (made in China as opposed to Ohio were millions of incandescent bulbs were once made). By the time they are made (yes, with mercury and no EPA or OSHA)...then shipped here on a truck to a train to a boat to a train to a truck to a store...then used disposed of (never seen one last the theoretic time they are "supposed" to last)..what again is the environment gaining? While we are paying about 800% more for bulbs.

I, nor any of my immediate neighbors sort our trash in any way. And yes, we all use plastic bags (mine is actually all double bagged - white kitchen bags in a larger black trash bag and taken to the curb). Batteries, light-bulbs phone-books and all. I wonder what the environmental impact of five trash trucks a week is? (two trash, two recyclable and one lawn pickup a week).

[Mrs. Robinson]

I am betting you have never been to China, Africa, and many other nations in Asia. If you had, you would realize just how fruitless your argument is.

And the light-bulbs (made in China as opposed to Ohio were millions of incandescent bulbs were once made). By the time they are made (yes, with mercury and no EPA or OSHA)...then shipped here on a truck to a train to a boat to a train to a truck to a store...then used disposed of (never seen one last the theoretic time they are "supposed" to last)..what again is the environment gaining? While we are paying about 800% more for bulbs.

I, nor any of my immediate neighbors sort our trash in any way. And yes, we all use plastic bags (mine is actually all double bagged - white kitchen bags in a larger black trash bag and taken to the curb). Batteries, light-bulbs phone-books and all. I wonder what the environmental impact of five trash trucks a week is? (two trash, two recyclable and one lawn pickup a week).

Sorry to disappoint you, but I have been to China and also Tibet, Malaysia and Thailand. The only place worth a damn is Singapore because the laws are extremely strict.

My argument, as you choose to call it (I call it my opinion which I validate with logic and facts) is not fruitless. The fact that most Americans are lazy and feel so enabled that they are exempt from doing the right thing, is tragic. If you have grandchildren, you are doing them a disservice because they will probably be the beginning of those who will have to pay for what you aren't doing.

Where light bulbs are manufactured and what they cost is an entirely different topic. I don't know where that rant came from???

So you don't recycle anything, eh, and your neighbors, as well.? Well, you are just a model citizen, aren't you? Somehow, I don't believe you. Mr thinks you protestith too much. :1rotfl:

[Two Bills]

Compared to Europe, America is still in the Stone Age regarding recycling.

[LitespeedRider]

So you don't recycle anything, eh, and your neighbors, as well.?


You are welcome to drive on through - today is in fact garbage day. One bag per home (no recycling separation). The fact is (a pesky one at that) is that often recycling is far more environmentally harmful than just tossing things away (more so in the case of glass).

But, some people (tree huggers) cant ever let reality get in the way of emotion. :doggie:

[Carla B]

You are welcome to drive on through - today is in fact garbage day. One bag per home (no recycling separation). The fact is (a pesky one at that) is that often recycling is far more environmentally harmful than just tossing things away (more so in the case of glass).

But, some people (tree huggers) cant ever let reality get in the way of emotion. :doggie:

Yes, but today is garbage day, not recycle day, at least in my neigherhood. Drive through on recycle day and you'll see lots separated material. Of eight houses in my immediate area, only one does not recycle.

[Mrs. Robinson]

You are welcome to drive on through - today is in fact garbage day. One bag per home (no recycling separation). The fact is (a pesky one at that) is that often recycling is far more environmentally harmful than just tossing things away (more so in the case of glass).

But, some people (tree huggers) cant ever let reality get in the way of emotion. :doggie:

And upon what factual information do you base the highlighted quote?

From my perspective, emotion doesn't play into environmental thoughts whatsoever.

[Harry Gilbert]

Here is the State of Florida fact sheet for recycling batteries.


https://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/quick_topics/publications/shw/batteries/Battery-Fact-Sheet_09Dec15.pdf

[Mrs. Robinson]

Here is the State of Florida fact sheet for recycling batteries.


https://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/quick_topics/publications/shw/batteries/Battery-Fact-Sheet_09Dec15.pdf

Thank you, Harry. That's a great site and explains everything and tells you where to go. I'll keep it and print it for reference.

[CWGUY]

:read: Notice today in "The Daily Sun" from the Sumter County Public Works. Page D 13. 1/4 page and hard to miss. :thumbup:

[LitespeedRider]

And upon what factual information do you base the highlighted quote?

From my perspective, emotion doesn't play into environmental thoughts whatsoever.


10 Ways Recycling Hurts the Environment - Listverse (http://listverse.com/2013/01/27/10-ways-recycling-hurts-the-environment/)


"The biggest reason recycling hurts the environment doesn’t have anything to do with the technical process—it’s the mindset it gives people. The idea is that by putting materials in the recycle bin, by buying products made from recycled material, we’re saving the environment—we’re all a team of individual Captain Planets, kicking pollution to the curb. But how effective is that when the US alone still produces 250 million tons of trash every year?

Recycling’s main impact is to convince us that it’s okay to be wasteful in other areas, because we make up for it through recycling. It encourages consumption, rather than pointing out ways to reduce consumption overall."