Anna Hackman is the author and publisher of the blog Green Talk, which is based on her own experience of building and maintaining a house using many green materials, and wishing to connect with others to help turn the planet green, one conversation at a time. This post was originally published on May 9, 2007.

LightFair NYC this year was home to amazing light technology from energy efficiency featuring LED technology to the reduction of mercury content in the fluorescent bulbs. As an environmentalist, I was impressed by the advancement of technology in lighting energy efficiency but was scared at the same time that we as consumers may be short sighted in our quest for energy efficiency by ignoring the proper disposal of these bulbs.

The LED technology impressed me with its long life and lack of mercury content. In addition, Phillips and SLI lighting both featured low mercury content in their fluorescent bulbs. SLI lighting featured the most impressive environmental concern with all of their fluorescent bulbs containing low level of mercury and their bulb glass was free of lead.

During my discussion with Flemming Jensen, Vice President of Industrial/Commercial Sales at SLI Lighting about why the company was producing low mercury fluorescent bulbs and lead-free glass, he made me aware of our current disposal practices of fluorescent lighting. The world is pushing for more efficient lighting, but has not looked at the disposal of the compact fluorescent. Giants like Wal-Mart and Home Depot are offering lower-priced fluorescent bulbs to encourage consumers to save energy. It seems that no one has asked the question what about the disposal of these products after they no longer work.

In my area in New Jersey, I have to make an appointment and then drive about thirty minutes to dispose of my fluorescent bulbs at the County Municipal building, or wait twice a year to go to a designated location in my county to dispose of hazardous waste. Most consumers are not going to take the time to dispose of their bulbs correctly. It is too much of an inconvenience. They just throw them away. Fluorescent bulbs have mercury and lead in them, which is leaching into our soils and waterways from the landfills.

Although the world is taking notice that we need to stop global warming, there should be a simultaneous effort being made to require easily accessible places to dispose of the fluorescent lighting. The giants like Wal-Mart could easily exchange burnt-out fluorescent bulbs for new ones with a discount offered to encourage people to recycle.

Cities and counties could have more accessible place for people to drop off their bulbs like they drop off their newspapers and plastics. The only way for more easily accessible recycling to be achieved is for the consumers to demand it. In addition, we can demand that bulbs are made of low levels of mercury and lead free glass. We have the power in this world because we speak in the language of money. We have asked for more energy efficient technology; let’s now demand for our landfills to remain lead and mercury free.

Editor’s note: In my own browsing this weekend, I came across LampRecycle.com, which publishes a list of companies that will take back CFLs and other “spent mercury containing lamps.” LampRecycle.org is published by the National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association.

Doors for Reuse at Build It Green! NYC: Image source: Build It Green! NYCAnna Hackman is the author and publisher of the blog, Green Talk, which is based on her own experience of building and maintaining a house using many green materials, and wishing to connect with others to help turn the Planet green, one conversation at a time. This post was originally published on April 5, 2007.

Everyone is talking about buying “green” or practicing the mantra, “recycle, reuse, and reduce”. Different organizations all over the country started to put all these sayings into practice by creating salvage and surplus building supply centers. Typically, builders order fifteen percent more supplies for their jobs in case some glitch shows up in the building process. Instead of throwing away good lumber, excess flooring, or kitchen cabinets, a builder or homeowner can bring them to their local salvage center. Homeowner can even dispose of their older materials when remodeling. Remember someone’s trash is someone else’s treasure.

I decided to visit Build It Green!, a salvage and surplus building supply center in Queens, New York (“BIG!”). Since I am always looking for reusable materials for my home, I thought this would be a good road trip. I met with Justin Green, the programming director to survey the salvage center. (It’s just coincidence that the center shares the same name as Justin) Justin told me that BIG! was formed when the Durst organization wanted to environmentally dispose of its excess building materials when they built One Bryant Park and its 125 West 31st Street condo development.

New York City disposes of approximately 13,500 tons per day of non-fill and demolition materials. BIG! has been in existence for two year and in that time period, this small 17,500 square foot facility with 2 full and 2 part-time employees and trusty mouse catching Jack Russell terrier have sold an estimated 400 tons of building material. As Justin stated, “It is equivalent to taking 150 automobiles off the road.” Pretty impressive.

At the facility, there were yards of doors, Prego flooring, sinks, Jacuzzis, and enough kitchen cabinets that could fill up a couple of kitchens. In addition, there was recessed lighting, lumber, plywood, MDF, and two stand-up piano needing homes. In addition, BIG! has the most beautiful ornate fireplace mantel with attached mirror for sale for $4000. It is obvious it is worth so much more. When I arrived even more kitchen cabinets were being delivered.

BIG!’s most impressive donation came from a family that bought a 2 family townhouse fully renovated. This family decided to turn the two- family townhouse into a one family home. So, they donated all of the duplicate building materials to BIG!, which included a magnificent German made stainless steel kitchen retailing for $70,000. It is sitting at BIG! still in its original wrapping. Built it Green sells their products at approximately fifty percent below retail. Their goal is to lessening your carbon footprint on the Earth by reusing something that has already been made. I love a bargain so this store is right up my alley.

I asked Justin what were his favorite materials that he received and he told me it was the lumber. He believes that reusing materials that have already been manufactured is the ultimate “green” since no additional resources have to be expended (such as cutting down trees) to create this material.

BIG!, like every not for profit, has its own wish list. They could use a truck instead of renting one, more full-time staff, and a larger facility so they can take more materials. If you can help in anyway whether to donate or buy, it is one more step towards conserving the Earth’s natural resources and reducing the impact on our landfills.

BIG! is just the tip of the iceberg. All over the country there are salvage and surplus building supply centers just like BIG! Each center is unique in its size and what it has to offer. Construction Junction, a 65,000 square foot center in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania offers a multitude of building materials and salvage items. Their website contains a catchy slogan, “You can reuse, we can help” reminding you of Home Depot’s saying with a recycling twist to it. They provide deconstruction services, offer an old window restoration seminar, and give free building materials away to not for profit organizations including women’s shelters and senior homes. In addition, they provide low income families discounts to buy their building materials.

Maine Housing and Building Material Exchange is located in Gray, Maine. Its founding mission was based on helping low income families and the environment. Eighteen years later, anyone can shop in one of their three stores but low income families receive discounts for building supplies. If you need building supplies, searching for that treasure you have always wanted, or just need a place to donate your unwanted building supplies or materials, contact your local salvage center. Either way, help do your part to “recycle, reuse, and reduce.” Remember, we only have one Earth.

For resources to find a salvage center near you:

• Redo lists all sort of recycling centers. Go to “find a redo center”. Also look at “Redo Subscribers”. A quick way to find your state on the Subscribers is use ctrl then F (which is “find”) and type in what you are looking for.
• Northeastern Recycling Council, Inc.: Lots of good information on this website. Also, I noticed Re-do and this website had different information.
• Habitat for Humanity Restores
• Building reuse: This site contains both not for profit and for profit salvage centers in Canada and the United States.