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Recycle Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent lights contain a small amount of mercury
and California law prohibits putting them in the trash

 

Fluorescent lights are a great choice

Flourescent lightbulbs are 75 percent more efficient than standard incandescent light bulbs, and will save you money on your energy bills.

They also last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs – producing less waste and requiring fewer trips to the store to buy new bulbs.

However fluorescent lights contain a small amount of mercury and California law prohibits putting them in the trash.

When fluorescent lights are put in the trash the glass can break, which releases mercury into the environment. Mercury evaporates easily and travels long distances in the atmosphere, contributing to pollution. Once mercury gets into a body of water, it can be absorbed by fish and aquatic animals. 

Mercury contamination is a problem in the San Francisco Bay

The California Environmental Protection Agency has issued a fish consumption advisory for certain fish from the San Francisco Bay due to mercury and other chemical contamination.

Adults should eat no more than two meals of San Francisco Bay sport fish per month. For women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children under age 6, the recommendation is no more than one sport fish from the Bay per month.

About the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility

Here in Concord, we have a wonderful Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility. It is located at 4797 Imhoff Place adjacent to the county animal control shelter.

This facility accepts household hazardous waste from residences for recycling. State transportation regulations limit residents to 15 gallons or 125 pounds of waste per vehicle per visit. Individual containers are limited to 5 gallons each.

It is open Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge to Concord residents for this service and no appointment is necessary.

Call ahead at 1-800-646-1431 if you have any questions or visit the web site at www.centralsan.org.

Hazardous Wastes Accepted