Free Light Bulbs This Sunday

... a big "green" help for EARTH DAY, April 22.
Diane MacEachern of Big Green Purse has alerted her readers about a "green" bargain: Home Depot will celebrate Earth Day this Sunday by giving away a million free compact fluorescents. These bulbs normally cost $7.99. On the other hand, they could save you $20-$30 on your electricity bill over the life of the bulb. Where do the benefits come from?

Compact fluorescents last ten times as long and use 75% LESS energy than a regular incandescent.

They help improve air quality and reduce asthma rates, since utilities need to burn less energy (think coal-fired power plants) to power the light.

They save time. You can install a CFL and not have to worry about changing that light bulb again for years.

Because they use so little energy, they're a great way to reduce global warming.

WHERE NOT TO USE CFLs:

outside when temperatures are cold
in dimmer switches
on timers

HOW TO DISPOSE OF CFLs:

Compact fluorescents contain minuscule amounts of mercury (5 mlg, compared to the 500 mlg in a home thermometer). Check with your local waste management agency for recycling options and disposal guidelines in your community. Some recommend the bulb be disposed with hazardous waste. Others want it sealed in a plastic baggie and thrown in the regular trash. Best option: Recycle the bulb with www.lamprecycle.org. Some IKEA stores take back used CFLs, too.

WHAT TO DO IF A CFL BREAKS:

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends sweeping up (not vacuuming) the broken glass and loose material; mopping up the remnants with a damp paper cloth that you can dispose of in a sealed plastic bag; and ventilating the room.

P.S. This has not been a paid promotion.