Compact Fluorescent Lights have a lot going for them. They're super energy efficient and they last a long time. But each bulb has a tiny bit of mercury inside - enough to cover the head of a pin.

That's not a lot individually, but a real threat to the environment if these bulbs are not properly recycled when they burn out.

"We believe that they're a really good thing overall, but it's important for people to understand that they can't go in the garbage can directly," said Andrew Gibb with Seattle City Light.

CF bulbs that get thrown in the trash wind up in a landfill, where the mercury could leach out and get into the water supply.

Seattle City Light just made it easier to recycle old compact fluorescent bulbs. Bring them to the South Service Center at 3613 4th Ave. South (4th and Spokane) or the North Service Center at 1300 N. 97th Street (97th and Stone Way). These recycling stations are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. They do not accept fluorescent tube bulbs.

By the way, a growing number of stores in the Puget Sound area now collect compact fluorescents for recycling, including Ikea, McLendon Hardware, and Seattle Lighting Stores. They're part of the Take It Back Network.

For More Information:

Take It Back: Fluorescent Bulb & Tube Recyclers