Ecology Action Center Launches CFL recycling program for McLean County Residents
The Ecology Action Center is proud to present our new recycling program for Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). This will be an easy and convenient option for residents of McLean County for safe disposal of expired CFLs.
CFLs contain small amounts of mercury. When they are not disposed of properly, and instead thrown into landfills, this mercury can contaminate the environment. It is estimated that approximately four billion CFLs are in use in the United States at this time, and ensuring that they are recycled prevents 17 tons of mercury from entering our landfills. In the past, individuals with expired bulbs would either have to wait for a local household hazardous waste collection event. With this new program, it has never been easier to benefit from the use and proper disposal of compact fluorescent bulbs.
There will be four convenient locations in the Bloomington-Normal area:
- Town of Normal , Facilities Management Parking Lot
Green receptacle located at 207 S. Linden (across from Vitesse Cycle) accessible 24 hours a day
- City of Bloomington Public Service – Drop Off Facility
Blue receptacle located in compound at Jackson Street and East Street (behind Bloomington Public Library). Hours vary seasonally; consult www.cityblm.org or call 309-434-2220 for current hours of operation.
- Springfield Electric
902 Four Seasons Road in Bloomington
CFLs accepted for recycling during regular business hours only: Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Ecology Action Center
202 W College Avenue
CFLs accepted for recycling during regular business hours only: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please wrap your CFLs in newspaper or replace in original packaging before recycling to reduce breakage. Call the EAC at 309-454-3169 for more information.
Household Hazardous Waste Update
Just a reminder, the Ecology Action Center is currently on the Illinois EPA waiting list to schedule a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection date for McLean County. HHW includes oil-based paints, paint thinner, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, unwanted medications, old gasoline, pool chemicals, cleaning products, mercury, household batteries, used motor oil, drain cleaners, lawn chemicals, hobby chemicals, antifreeze, solvents, aerosol products, fluorescent bulbs, lead acid batteries, and fire extinguishers.
If you have any of these products in your home and would like to be notified of the collection event date to safely dispose of them, send your postal address or email address to eac@ecologyactioncenter.org, or call us at (309) 454-3169.
Look Good, Feel Good
The Ecology Action Center is proud to introduce a line of apparel and accessories courtesy of CafePress.com! The EAC Logowear Store features t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, outerwear, and more printed with the EAC’s logo. All of the items are reasonably priced, and a portion of every purchase helps to support the efforts of our nonprofit organization to continue our mission and provide environmental education for McLean County. These items are not available anywhere else. Visit the EAC Logowear Store, accessible on our website at www.ecologyactioncenter.org.
The Ecology Action Center will again host the semi-annual FREE-4-ALL from 9 am – 1 pm on Saturday, September 13 under the pavilion at Anderson Park. We encourage people to bring your used, in good condition, unwanted items and take what others have brought. You do not have to bring things to take things and you do not have to take things to be allowed to bring things. This is all about keeping good stuff out of the landfill.
Anderson Park is a short three-block walk from Linden Street east on College Ave. Due to construction, take the Red or Yellow Line city buses to Linden Street.
This free event is open to all and conducted in a similar manner to the Freecycle website (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/McFreecycle/). No firearms, food or beverages, or pets. No pick ups or deliveries, you must be able to bring or take the things on your own. If you have any questions, please call the Ecology Action Center at 454-3169.
Agrichemical Container Recycling Site in McLean County
The Illinois Department of Agriculture recently announced a permanent collection site for empty agrichemical containers that are made of high-density polyethylene and #2 plastic. The site at McLean Randolph Ag Service, located at 15125 E 625 N Road in Heyworth, five miles south of Bloomington. They accept 2.5 gallon containers, without lids or labels, that have been triple rinsed. The containers are shredded on location, ground into small plastic chips, and will be used to make pallets, fence posts, drainage tubing, and hazardous waste drums. To drop off your containers at the permanent site, you must call ahead. Their phone number is (309) 473-3256.
For more information, visit www.agr.state.il.us.
Local Rain Barrel Supplier
The Ecology Action Center will likely be scheduling more rain barrel workshops in the coming weeks. These will be the last workshops of the year, so if you are interested in building your own rain barrel, be sure to sign up as soon as possible. The dates fill up extremely fast, usually within the first week. Watch our website calendar for dates and registration forms.
For those of you who cannot make it to the rain barrel workshops, there is another option. You may purchase a pre-made rain barrel from local producer Austin Gremmer. They are available through his website, http://austingrammer.com/green/rainbarrels.html.
There are lots of benefits to installing a rain barrel. You could collect many gallons of fresh water for use around your home and garden that would have otherwise been lost. Rain barrels are a cost-effective way to conserve water and help the environment by reducing stormwater runoff contamination of water supplies. The Ecology Action Center has more information about rain barrels and the benefits of installing one on our website www.ecologyactioncenter.org.
Could you make it a month without using any plastic products? This link features an article about a woman whose goal is to avoid purchasing anything packaged in or made with plastics for the entire month of August. Her goal brings up many interesting points and facts about plastic use, and how much plastic is consumed. Click here to read the story http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7508321.stm
Environmental Health: Phthalates ban signed into law
On August 15, President Bush signed into law a bill banning six toxic Phthalates, a group of chemicals suspected of causing reproductive and developmental problems. For the full story, see the Chicago Tribune at http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/health/chi-household-chemicals_bdaug17,0,7072536.story