I’m very cranky about CFLs - about getting rid of the dead ones, that is. Should not go out with the trash, because mercury. The city has 2 official locations you can drop them off. TWO. In all of Portland!! Of course neither of them is anywhere close to me.
Theoretically, various hardware stores will take them. But I called the place nearest me and they said, “Well, we take them on exchange, because it costs us to recycle them.”
In other words, if you buy bulbs before you have had one go out, then I guess you’re stuck with the dead bulb until you need to buy more bulbs. (I have bought bulbs from that store but I didn’t know I had to take any dead ones with me RIGHT THEN, and it was years ago so I don’t have any receipts.)
Another place nearish me apparently will take them but charges a fee.
I haven’t called other places yet but basically this system is bullshit.