Recycle Your Fluorescent Light Bulbs

WasteCap Nebraska Offers CFL Recycling

LINCOLN, NE – WasteCap Nebraska launched a three month pilot program this week allowing individuals and businesses to recycle burned-out compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). In Lincoln, CFLs can be dropped off at participating Ace Hardware stores now through November 30.

While CFLs have become a popular choice over incandescent light bulbs for energy savings, confusion lies amongst the public as to how to dispose of the bulbs which contain a small amount of mercury. Because CFLs are 99 percent recyclable, WasteCap Nebraska, with funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust, is coordinating the pilot recycling program to provide a recycling option and education for the public. 

A recycling fee of $0.60 per bulb will be charged to individuals dropping off burned-out CFLs. To offset this cost, participating hardware stores are offering a $0.60 coupon toward the purchase of a new CFL.

Find out where to drop off expired CFLs, to learn the benefits of CFLs and how to safely dispose of broken CFLs by visiting www.AnotherBrightIdea.info or calling 1-888-E-Waste-9.

WasteCap Nebraska is a nonprofit organization that helps businesses to design and implement waste reduction programs that will impact their bottom line. WasteCap has been providing recycling support to Nebraska businesses for 13 years through recycling education, technical assistance, and market development services. For more information about WasteCap Nebraska, please visit our website at: www.wastecapne.org or contact our office at (402) 436-2383 or 888-EWASTE9.