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 (805) 481-9213 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
Wal-Mart	Heritage Ranch Community Services District
Wet Pets	Long's Drug Stores
	Lowe's
	Orchard Supply
Atascadero:	Paso Electric
Albertson's	Paso Robles Waste Disposal
Atascadero Waste Alternatives	Rite Aid
Decou Lumber and Ace Hardware	Scolari's
Dollar Tree	Staples
Food 4 Less	Target
Grisanti Hardware	The Pet Department
Home Depot	Traditions at River Oaks
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	Scolari's
Von's	The Animal Kingdom
Walgreen Drug	Orchard Supply
	Pismo Beach True Value Hardware & Nursery

California Valley:
California Valley Community Services District	San Luis Obispo:
	Albertson's
	Anchor Lighting
Cambria:	Aquartic Adventures
Ace Hardware	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.
	Scolari's
Los Osos:	Sears
Miner's Ace Hardware	Smart & Final
Ralph's Grocery	Spencer's Fresh Markets
Rite Aid	Staples
Von's	Tropics
	Valley View Lighting
	Von's
Morro Bay:
Albertson's
City of Morro Bay	San Miguel:
Dollar Tree	San Miguel Community Services District
Main Lighting - Stollmeyer's
Miner's Ace Hardware
Spencer's	Templeton:
Von's	Hewitt Hardware
	Templeton Community Services District
	Weyrick Lumber
Nipomo:
Long's Drug Stores
Miner's
Nipomo Ace Hardware
Nipomo Community Services District
Von's