Compact fluorescents last long, but not forever. And if you're like me, when they do finally kick the bucket, you're paralyzed by what to do about the old bulb. You can't just toss them in the regular trash or in the recycling bin (they contain mercury).

Eventually your kitchen drawer is home to a tribe of sad, worthless CFLs. Let’s not even think about how offices get rid of them.

So what do you do?

Lighter Footstep's Chris Baskind put together a handy guide that lays out the CFL disposal options. Some of the tips take a little leg work, but it's better than letting toxic chemicals leech into the ground or our waterways.