IKEA stores accept old fluorescent light tubes

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Home Depot has a good selection of fluorescent lights on its shelves, but it is definitely not the place to dispose of your burnt-out tubes.

We reported last week that the long glass tubes, which contain small amounts of toxic mercury, cannot be put out to the curb for recycling or garbage pickup.

Instead, the city tells people to take them to six of its solid waste drop-off depots, but getting to one of those spots can be difficult, particularly for anyone without a car.

A dozen readers emailed or called to say Home Depot accepts used tube lights, including Alan Leslie, who scolded us for "once again... filling space with half a story," and being a know-nothing who "should spend a bit of time on research BEFORE putting pen to paper!"

Leslie's chiding propelled us to a Home Depot on Eglinton Ave. E., where we found a box near a door marked for recycling of the squiggly-bulbed, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), along with a sign that said, "Sorry, we DO NOT accept tube fluorescent bulbs."

Home Depot rep Sheri Papps confirmed it's been the chain's policy for several years not to accept expired tube lights.

The good news: IKEA's four stores in the GTA will accept spent tube lights for recycling, whether you choose to buy new ones from the store or not, said spokesperson Madeleine Frick.

Related News

$300 billion plan to dump Russian energy

EU outlines $300 billion plan to dump Russian energy

BERLIN - The European Union’s executive arm moved Wednesday to jump-start plans for the 27-nation bloc to abandon Russian energy amid the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, proposing a nearly 300 billion-euro ($315 billion) package that includes more efficient use of fuels and faster rollout of renewable power.

The European Commission’s investment initiative is meant to help the 27 EU countries start weaning themselves off Russian fossil fuels this year. The goal is to deprive Russia, the EU’s main supplier of oil, natural gas and coal, of tens of billions in revenue and strengthen EU climate policies.

“We are taking our ambition to…

READ MORE
hydro one

Hydro One launches Ultra-Low Overnight Electricity Price Plan

READ MORE

hydro one building

Hydro One reports $1.1B Q2 profit boosted by one-time gain due to court ruling

READ MORE

With a Focus on Local Response, PG&E Prepares for Winter Storm Season

READ MORE

alberta-path-to-clean-electricity

Alberta's Path to Clean Electricity

READ MORE