How do you dispose large fluorescent lights ??

I have 4 that are 3ft long. Do I just set them out for the garbage men ? do your garbage men take them ? They'll explode when the truck compacts them. Last time .. I put them in large trash bags with a blanket over them .. stood 10 feet away and threw a hammer at them to break them into pieces so I could fit them in the trash can .. lol ... horrible idea b/c pieces still flew everywhere