Calendar

Smart Home Energy Fair
Salvation Army Community Center
611 W. Washington St. Bloomington
February 28, 2009

Illinois Sustainable Living and Wellness Expo
IWU Shirk Center
April 17 & 18, 2009
www.islwe.org

 

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)

Through a new Ecology Action Center program sponsored by McLean County’s Solid Waste Fund, county residents may recycle Compact Fluorescent Lamps at four different local locations.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are quickly growing in use among McLean County households due to their great energy saving capabilities. CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs, last up to ten times longer and can save $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. However, disposal of expired bulbs is a concern due to the small amount of mercury contained in each bulb.

Under the new local CFL recycling program, all bulbs collected will have all mercury and other recyclable components completely recycled for reuse. The CFLs will be recycled by Fluorecycle, Inc. located in Ingleside, Illinois, which is the only company in Illinois permitted by the Illinois EPA to recycle CFLs. Local collection will be coordinated by Springfield Electric.

The four new CFL recycling drop off locations are:

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.

Residents are asked to wrap CFLs in newspaper or replace in original packaging before recycling to reduce breakage.

Home Depot is also now accepting expired and unbroken compact flourescent light bulbs for recycling. You may bring your lightbulbs to an associate in the electrical department during the store's business hours. Home Depot is located at 795 Veteran's Parkway in Normal.