IWMA - Recycle Fluorescent Tubes and Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)

Press Release - For Immediate Release
June 26, 2007, San Luis Obispo County
BY: Bill Worrell, IWMA

The San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) announces the implementation of the "SLO Take Back Program" for household batteries, fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Nearly every retailer throughout San Luis Obispo County who sells household batteries or fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) will now take those items back from the public for free. Consumers who want to shop green can now safely and easily recycle these products.

More than 300 local businesses are providing this free service to the public. Participants range from national chain stores such as Costco and Kmart to local stores such as Farris Lighting. Nearly every retailer who sells either batteries, fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in San Luis Obispo County is participating. A complete list of businesses where you can safely recycle these items appears below.

Participating in the "SLO Take Back Program" is free, easy and there is no limit to the number of batteries, fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) you can drop off. Bring your household batteries, fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) to any of the participating retail stores during regular store hours. You can either put the items in a special collection container or give them to a store employee. This is an ongoing, free service provided to the public. Small businesses in San Luis Obispo County can also participate but must call (800) 400-0811 to make an appointment.

The household batteries should be fully discharged. Lithium batteries should have tape placed on the metal contacts. Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) should not be broken and should be carefully placed in the collection containers to prevent breakage.

Household batteries, fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) are considered hazardous because they contain mercury. It's illegal to throw away these items in your garbage or recycling can, or to dispose of them at a landfill. You can be confident that disposing of these items at the "SLO Take Back Program" locations will mean the items will be sent off to be properly managed which includes recovering the mercury.

The "SLO Take Back Program" is funded by a grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

S.L.O. Take Back Program Locations to Dispose of Fluorescent Tubes and Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Arroyo Grande:	Oceano:
Albertson's	Oceano Community Services District
Brisco's True Value Hardware
Cookie Crock Warehouse
CD Pet Garden & Emporium	Paso Robles:
Dollar Tree Stores	Albertson's
KMart	Blake's True Value Home Center
Long's Drug Stores	Central Wholesale Electrical Distributors
Miner's Ace Hardware	Cuesta Equipment
Office Max	Dollar Tree Store
Rite Aid	Food 4 Less
Spencer's Fresh Markets	Hayward Lumber
Sweet Harvest Hydroponics and Organics	Heritage Ranch Community Services District
Wal-Mart	Long's Drug Stores
Wet Pets	Lowe's
	Orchard Supply
	Paso Electric
Atascadero:	Paso Robles Waste Disposal
Albertson's	Rite Aid
Dollar Tree	Staples
Food 4 Less	Target
Home Depot	The Pet Department
KMart	Von's
Long's Drug Stores	Wal-Mart
McNamara Electric
Miner's Ace Hardware
Office Depot	Pismo Beach:
Rite Aid	Long's Drug Stores
Spencer's Fresh Markets	Rite Aid
Staples	The Animal Kingdom
Von's	Orchard Supply
Walgreen Drug	Pismo Beach True Value Hardware & Nursery


California Valley:	San Luis Obispo:
California Valley Community Services District	Albertson's
	Anchor Lighting
	Aquartic Adventures
Cambria:	Bed Bath & Beyond
Cambria Hardware	Best Buy
Cookie Crock Market	Costco
	Cuesta Equipment
	Dollar Tree Store
Cayucos:	Farris Lighting & Electric
Cayucos Sanitary District	Food 4 Less
	Glow Illuminating Designs
	Hayward Lumber
Grover Beach:	Home Depot
Miner's Ace Hardware	Long's Drug Stores
South County Sanitary	Pacific Home & Garden
The Animal Kingdom	Ralphs Grocery
Von's	Rite Aid
	San Luis Garbage Co.
	Sears
Los Osos:	Smart & Final
Miner's Ace Hardware	Spencer's Fresh Markets
Ralph's Grocery	Staples
Rite Aid	Tropics
Von's	Valley View Lighting
	Von's

Morro Bay:
Albertson's	San Miguel:
City of Morro Bay	San Miguel Community Services District
Dollar Tree
Main Lighting - Stollmeyer's
Miner's Ace Hardware	Templeton:
Spencer's	Hewitt Hardware
Von's	Templeton Community Services District
	Weyrick Lumber

Nipomo:
Long's Drug Stores
Miner's
Nipomo Ace Hardware
Nipomo Community Services District
Von's