The European Union has also required lighting manufacturers to cap their CFL mercury content too. The US Environmental Protection Agency also estimates that if all CFL s produced in the US were dumped in landfills, this would amount to 0.13 metric tons, or 0.1% of all mercury emissions in the US. How To Properly Dispose And Recycle CFL s Here are some tips and precautions for the handling, disposal or recycling or compact fluorescent lamps. Drop-Off Centers For Recyclables A drop-off center refers to a central location that s established to accept different types of recyclable materials. Even if a town or city has special curbside pick-up points, consumers may wish to transport their used materials here, especially if they have hazardous or toxic materials at home, and don t know how to safely store these. Find a Company or Facility To Help Handle The Recycling Once your recycling program is approved by your school administrator, find a company or facility that will help handle your recycling output. Get a phone book, and check out the recycling companies in your area, or talk to the solid waste management or recycling coordinator in your local government. Among the materials that need to be handled with extra care include medical waste, commercially-generated waste, electronic items and components, radioactive materials, ammunition, and other unknown materials. Hazardous Waste Cannot Be Disposed By Conventional Means Hazardous wastes come in different physical states, from liquid, solid, gaseous and others. Recycling Paper Saves Trees, And Reduces Greenhouse Emissions Paper is a fine, thin material that's commonly used for writing and packaging. Paper is produced by pressing moist fibers like cellulose together. The cellulose pulp is generally derived from wood, grass or rags, which are dried into flexible sheets. During these times, recycling was motivated by the economic advantage of getting recycled feedstock, instead of simply buying new raw materials. The absence of a public waste removal and disposal system also made recycling a necessary task during these times. The Lack Of Resources Encouraged Recycling During Wartime The outbreak of two major world wars in the early 20th century brought crippling shortages of precious natural resources.