If you live in an apartment in the state of California, chances are that your management has already installed one of those fluorescent lamps that takes the little spiral light bulb, an energy-efficient solution to reduce carbon emissions. More and more homeowners are beginning to implement this practice and have already seen a dramatic reduction in their energy usage and lower utility bills instantaneously. In spite of a need to adjust to the new aesthetic of fluorescent light, these lamps make for a big shift in consumption and environmental impact. Their widespread public acceptance must have inspired better design because lately the color of the light emitted has improved to a more natural color (as opposed to the earlier-issue's greenish skin tone... not exactly what you had in mind by "going green!"), as well as an increase in the variety of lamp styles available.
To further support changeovers, Home Depot has announced that it will offer compact fluorescent light bulb recycling, another heed to a call by savvy users that the bulbs contain toxic mercury that needs to be disposed of properly. Since the government has yet to address the issue of proper disposal, the industry is coming forward with a recycling plan. Ikea and Wal-Mart are on board as well, preparing to provide in-store recycling boxes for the proper disposal of the energy-saving bulbs. Okay, so now you're probably thinking of the next debate: "Don't I have to drive to one of those super-stores?" The solution is already being considered, as government offices are working on implementing recycling drop-boxes at postal centers, thus reinforcing a sense of community action and the government's support of such. It's all coming together!