They can also fade photographs and artwork -- so I'm careful where they are placed in our house. If you've ever worked in an office where they don't change the decor for years, you'll see how much the flourescent lights fade images.
Our town has a household hazardous waste disposal center where we drop off things like flourescent bulbs, batteries, electronic equipment, old nail polish, paint, household chemicals, fertilizers, etc. They supposedly get them to the right places for safe handling and recylcing.
P.S. Hey Marcie, did you know you're just over the hills from me? I live south of you in YL.