Interested in saving energy and money by switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, but worried about what you'd do with them when they burn out?

Home Depot just announced that they will recycle compact fluorescent light bulbs for free.  Just bring the unbroken bulbs to the returns desk at any store. 

Each swirly-headed bulb uses a fraction of the electricity of a traditional incandescent light bulb. However, they contain a small amount of mercury --- 100 times less than the amount inside an old mercury thermometer. This still presents a disposal conundrum, however. Different communities have rules about whether they should be collected with normal household trash or saved for hazardous waste collection.

Because the bulbs contain mercury, you should take precautions if one breaks, such as these steps recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for cleaning up broken CFLs.

Seriously, give them a try. The bulbs will help you save on energy costs so you'll have more green to pay for all those other rising bills.

And remember you can pick up discounted CFLs at these Home Depot, Giant and Costco stores. All BG&E ratepayers are subsidizing the cost of these bulbs for other consumers, so you should take advantage!