Recycle Your CFL Bulbs!

Have you purchased any of those spiral-shaped light bulbs that save energy for your lamps and light fixtures at home and wondered how you can recycle them when they stop working? If so, the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority has an answer for you, as they have now started accepting used and unbroken compact fluorescent bulbs at the McIntire Recycling Center and the Ivy Materials Utilization Center.

"These bulbs can be recycled when they burn out, and we are pleased to be able to receive these bulbs from citizens of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and Scottsville at no charge through our recycling centers," stated Mr. Tom Frederick, Executive Director of the Authority. "We ask that residents bring these light bulbs unbroken and separated from the trash to our centers with other recyclable materials, and we will receive them at no charge. We have contracted with a recycling facility in Richmond to receive the bulbs in bulk and recycle their components. This creates an environmentally friendly way to handle spent bulbs, after receiving energy saving benefits in the use of these bulbs."

The McIntire Recycling Center is located on McIntire Road just northwest of the downtown area and operates from 7:30 am to 5:20 pm Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:20 pm on Saturday, and 12:30 pm to 5:20 pm on Sunday. The Ivy Material Utilization Center is located southwest of the Ivy community on Highway 637, which is Exit 114 on I-64 west of Charlottesville, about 3 miles west of the I-64 interchange. The Ivy Center's hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Compact fluorescent bulb recycling is located at the "Convenience Center" at the Ivy Center, which can be found by following a directional sign at the entrance to the facility.

The new drop-off location at the McIntire Center for compact fluorescent light bulbs is at a kiosk near the newspaper trailer at the front entrance of the center. "We wanted to make this easy to locate", stated Mr. Bruce Edmonds, the Authority's Recycling Operations Manager. "We do ask that residents handle these bulbs carefully so that they remain unbroken, for the safety of everyone as well as environmental protection. Fluorescent bulbs currently contain traces of mercury vapors that can be released if broken, and we want to be very cautious and protective."