Energy-saving bulbs require proper disposal

COLUMBUS — Recyclig used compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is important to prevent potentially hazardous contamination in the community landfills or local dumps.

Recycling the popular energy efficient bulbs has become easier for area residents served by Loup Power District and Keep Columbus Beautiful.

Area residents can now drop off used CFLs at any Loup Power District office.

Loup Power District in partnership with Keep Columbus Beautiful accepts the spent CFLs, stores the bulbs in special containers until full and then sends them to Air Cycle Corporation for proper recycling.

The energy efficient bulbs are recycled using methods approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“CFLs have become a popular replacement for regular incandescent bulbs because they use up to 75 percent less energy, last up to 10 times longer, save on energy costs, and help the environment by saving energy,” said Heather Buttaro, coordinator of Keep Columbus Beautiful.

Buttaro said proper disposal of CFLs is important because they contain a small amount of mercury within the glass tubing.

Although each bulb only contains an average of 5 milligrams of mercury, about the amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen, the numbers of bulbs to be recycled makes proper disposal important.

The partnership between Loup and Keep Columbus Beautiful makes it possible to bring the bulbs to any Loup office where they will be packaged and shipped for proper disposal.

According to the EPA even the small amount of mercury found in a compact fluorescent light bulb can be hazardous. The agency has outlined specific instructions for cleaning up in the event a CFL breaks in the home.

The agency warns consumers never to use a vacuum or a broom to clean up a mercury spill. Never pour mercury down a drain. Never wash clothing or other items in a washing machine if the clothing items have come into direct contact with mercury.

The agency warns: “Clothing that has come into direct contact with mercury should be discarded.”

“Loup Power District is excited to partner with Keep Columbus Beautiful and offer this handy means for people to dispose of spent CFLs,” said Rick Cheloha, Loup’s New Business Supervisor. “As CFLs become more popular, the most frequently asked question is how to properly dispose of them. Now there is a convenient answer for our four-county service area.”

More information about the CFL Recycling Program is available at the Loup Web site: www.loup.com or by calling Loup at (888) 564-3171 Ext. 221 or Keep Columbus Beautiful at 563-9223.

Visit the EPA’s Web site to view clean-up instructions for compact fluorescent light bulbs at www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm.