What You Can Do -  Light Bulbs

Light bulbs matter.
If every household in the United States replaced one regular light bulb with an energy-saving model, we could reduce global warming pollution by more than 90 billion pounds over the life of the bulbs; the same as taking 6.3 million cars off the road. So, replace your incandescent bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescents, which now come in all shapes and sizes. You'll be doing your share to cut back on heat-trapping pollution and you'll save money on your electric bills and light bulbs.

Source:  Union of Concerned Scientists

Compact Florescent Bulbs and Mercury (EnergyStar.gov)

Compact Florescent Bulbs and Mercury (Mother Nature Network)

Compact Florescents and Mercury (Co-op America Updates. May/June 2007)
Question: The florescent bulb package said: "Dispose of properly, contains mercury."  Isn't this a major concern...folks usually just throw these away in the trash.
Response: Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) do contain mercury, but the amount is quite small--an average of five milligrams, which is about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen, according to the EPA.  As new technologies emerge, companies may find ways to do away with the mercury completely.  Most experts agree that the environmental benefits of CFLs far outweigh the mercury released into the atmosphere.  If each of us switched just five incandescent light bulbs to CFLs, we could reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 900 pounds per year--and because CFLs are so long-lasting, we'd save over $45 per bulb over the lifetimes.  They shouldn't be thrown in the trash.  Visit www.lamprecycle.org to find out how to recycle them in your area (business focus) or take them to your local IKEA store, which accepts all brands of CFLs for recycling. http://www.lamprecycle.org/

HTR-GROUP Offers:  The Largest and Most Modern Lamp Recycling Facility in the Country.  Recyclers of Lamps-Ballasts-Batteries-Computers, located in Lake Ozark, MO.
 

Appell, David (2007, October).  Toxic Bulbs: Recycling rules vary for mercury -containing fluorescents.  Scientific American.  This article discusses the need to recycle fluorescents - not put them in the garbage.  Recycling will be required in Australia by 2010.  Some states in the US are considering legislation.  Current options include Sylvania (for a charge), Wal-mart (in California), True Value hardware stores (Vermont), and the US Postal Service is considering some recycling for the public.   Link to article (requires a subscription)