January 12, 2009
COLDSTREAM, BC – The Regional District of North Okanagan is pleased to announce
that following the Regional District Board’s approval, in principle, a new program for the
recycling of compact fluorescent bulbs and tubes has begun. Compact fluorescent bulbs
and tubes, commonly referred to as CFLs, have become a popular choice with energy
conscious consumers since their introduction in the 1990s. In recent years, energy
conservation and environmentally friendly living have become a focus for many people.
Documentaries such as Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” have promoted the need for
resource conservation and to become more conscious of individual actions and lifestyles.
Energy conscious consumers are currently challenged with recycling options for
incandescent bulbs and CFLs since there are limited options for both, and the CFLs
contain small quantities of mercury. Unfortunately, burned out incandescent bulbs are
not currently recyclable and must be placed in the garbage or reused. An option for used
incandescent bulbs can be found in the Reuse, Recycle Directory.
Used CFL tubes and bulbs will have now have a home at all Regional District Recycling
and Disposal Facilities starting in January 2009.
The Regional District of North Okanagan has recognized the need to keep these
potentially hazardous materials out of the waste stream. Effective January 9th,
fluorescent tubes and bulbs will be accepted at all Regional District of North Okanagan
Recycling and Disposal Facilities. The tubes and bulbs will be collected in well marked
designated bins at each site and will be stored for recycling. Regional District of North
Okanagan Waste Reduction Coordinator Karmen Peace adds, “This program is intended
to safely store the tubes and bulbs until they can be recycled as part of an Extended
Producer Responsibility Program (EPR). Once the EPR program is in place, consumers
will be able to take all mercury containing items to a certified depot as is currently done
with electronic waste, oil, and beverage containers.” It is hoped that schools, businesses
and other institutions will take advantage of this program and avoid landfilling the bulbs.
For more information on CFL recycling, please contact the Regional District of North
Okanagan at 250-550-3700.
For more information:
Karmen Peace
Waste Reduction Coordinator
250-550-3743
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