Salk’s participating in effort to recycle mercury light bulbs

Posted 10/28/14

Clean Water Action is teaming up with local Ocean State businesses and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management on a grass-roots pilot program to recycle mercury-containing light …

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Salk’s participating in effort to recycle mercury light bulbs

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Clean Water Action is teaming up with local Ocean State businesses and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management on a grass-roots pilot program to recycle mercury-containing light bulbs, such as compact fluorescents (CFLs) and linear lamps up to four feet long. 

Thirteen hardware stores across the state are offering a free collection service for their customers. The retailers, including Salk’s Hardware & Marine on West Shore Road in Warwick, will accept up to five spent bulbs per customer visit and prepare them for shipping to a recycling facility.  

This simple process will prevent one source of mercury from finding its way into our landfills or incinerators and, ultimately, the environment. Mercury, a powerful neurotoxin, can cause damage to the human brain, kidneys and nervous system and is of particular concern for pregnant women and children due to its effects on childhood development. 

“The project will demonstrate that when businesses and environmental advocates work together, efficient and economic solutions can be found to limit the health hazards of toxic materials in our communities,” said David Gerraughty, who is coordinating the program for CWA. 

“This new program offers Rhode Islanders a convenient way to safely recycle and dispose of used compact fluorescent bulbs and linear lamps, by taking them to one of the new collection sites,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Thanks to the cooperation of the hardware retailers, we are able to provide this valuable service for Rhode Island residents.” 

Clean Water Fund will pay all costs for shipping and recycling the waste lamps, using funds received as part of Southern Union’s criminal penalty for illegal storage of mercury in Pawtucket.

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