Energy Efficiency, Proper Disposal Key for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Heavy promotion by the media and retailers has brought long-life Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) to the forefront of environmental talk. Touted as a simple and inexpensive path to saving energy and money while reducing Global Warming, CFLs combine the best of tube fluorescent bulbs commonly used in commercial buildings—long life span and relatively low energy usage—into a small bulb that fits standard light fixtures. Consumers are being encouraged to quickly change out all inefficient short-life standard incandescent bulbs.

Not included in the promotions is the fact that compact fluorescent bulbs—as well as the long tube style—contain small amounts of mercury. Please remember these tips to maximize environmental and economic benefits of CFLs:

• Properly dispose of used fluorescent bulbs! Household Hazardous Waste accepts fluorescent bulbs (Bulbs are not recyclable at curbside, business or neighborhood sites; burned out incandescent bulbs may be thrown away)
• Change to new CFLs as incandescent bulbs burn out! (How wasteful is it to throw away perfectly functional bulbs?)
• Turn lights and appliances off when not in the room! (The first key to efficiency and savings is reducing use overall)

For more information:

• Tucson Recycles Info Line, 791-5000
• Tucson/Pima County Household Hazardous Waste: www.tucsonaz.gov/hhw

Reprinted courtesy of Tucson Clean & Beautiful.

Television Collection for Recycling

Got a new television for Christmas? Don't know what to do with the old one? Tucson Clean & Beautiful can help you with this dilemma. We are working in partnership with American Retroworks to collect, reuse, and recycle televisions and other small electronics, to conserve resources, create jobs and preserve our environment.

Tucson Clean & Beautiful and American Retroworks, will be hosting three collection events to coincide with the Household Hazardous Waste collection days.

Collection will focus on televisions, home entertainment equipment, computers, computer monitors, printers and computer peripherals, cell phones, phones and electronic parts. We CANNOT accept appliances, refrigerators, microwaves, or air conditioners.

Sites:

•  January 5, 2008 on the Eastside, 7575 E Speedway, Eastside City Hall.

•  February 2, 2008 on the Southside, 1102 W Irvington, Tucson Water Plant #2.

•  March 1, 2008 on the Northside, Park and Ride Parking Lot, Ina Rd. 1 block west of Oracle Road.

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon only at all locations.

For more information on electronics reuse and recycling options in the Tucson area please call 520-791-5000 or email to tcb@tucsonaz.gov

Tucson Clean & Beautiful is a non profit organization now in its 3rd decade as the flagship for community environmental volunteer efforts in the Tucson area. It's programs address recycling and waste reduction, urban forestry, land stewardship, and beautification. Visit www.tucsoncleanandbeautiful.org or call 791-5000 for more information.

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