IMHO that is the problem with all this 'tree hugger" crap. They say it is "better for the environment", in this case because it will save energy, but they easily over look the negative aspect to doing this.

Even this "carbon credit" garbage - does nothing to help the environment, just makes the people that pay into this feel good - it's all good, I am paying for carbon credits so I can still pollute.

The problem here is there are so many sheeple out there that believe some of the stuff they are spewing, enough so to make politicians "suck up" to them during an election.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for "saving the planet" and trying to clean up our mess. I recycle everything I can, and usually take public transist to work (I have driven but that only amount to about dozen times in the last year). And it doesn't just end at CO emmisions either but the amount of trash that we throw out since we have become such a disposable society.

What I am against is governments blindly throwing money out there for a massive unproven projects just to appease people that they are "doing good". Essentially all they are doing is throwing wet toilet paper at the wall and see what sticks. Just look at how much money was recently given to several solar cell start up companies and how many of these closed up shop within a year or 2 (a good majority of them have, if not all). That money could have been better spent on research on improving solar cells, storage batteries etc. Solar cells are becoming more efficient and cheaper to produce especially once they start producing them in mass quanity via printable electronics.

Interesting read, so I checked in on this and this only holds true (Re: incandescent bulbs creates tons more mercury) if the power that it is using is supplied by coal powered generating station. Not the same for green, hydro, nuclear or natural gas stations.

I am still concerned about how many of these CFLs will end up in a land fill because people will not be bothered to recycle them properly. And it is not just the mercury content, but what about the ballast and electronics that are in them as well?

I would double check Home Depot first - all the ones around me are no longer accepting them, fortunately Lowes still does. The only other option for me is an Eco Station a half hour (on a good day) drive across the city and then wait in line for another half hour (or more, although been lucky a couple of times). Needless to say I stock pile all the stuff that goes here and make only 1 or 2 trips that way a year.

As a side note Lowes also takes batteries and incandescent bulbs as well for recycle.

Lack of education? How many people know that there is Mercury inside the bulbs (or really care for that matter?) - in fact I would bet that the majority only found out about it with the bad press that CFL's are getting. Bottom line is that people don't generally like things being forced down their throats and being told what they have to buy.

I personally have never had a CFL last longer than 2 years myself (tried different brands as well) - currently trying out some LED bulbs and will see how that goes.

Of course switching to CFL/LED is fine and dandy unless you have those 'Edison' style bulbs as part of your home decor.

Recently came across this tear down of Phillips newest LED bulb:

edit: BTW, apparently there are some mods that can be done to many home automation modules/etc that will allow them to work with CFL/LED bulbs.