Lake County bulb-disposal program to test in Highland Park
Highland Park will serve as a test site for Lake County residents who need to safely dispose of fluorescent light bulbs.
In conjunction with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, the bulb-disposal program will begin at Highland Park's firearms training center Nov. 6. The facility, which also will take residential electronics for recycling, is at 1180 Half Day Road near Route 41.
Environmentalists and others are encouraging use of compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use two-thirds less energy than conventional ones and have more life.
However, the compact fluorescent lamps contain mercury and must be disposed of properly.
Walter Willis, executive director of Lake County's solid waste agency, said the Highland Park collection for recycling of the fluorescent lamps will run about six months.
How well the test program goes in Highland Park will determine whether fluorescent bulb recycling operations spread to other Lake County towns.
"We're trying to get a handle on if we do it in Highland Park for six months, how much material we'll get and how much it costs us," Willis said Friday.
Highland Park Assistant City Manager Patrick Brennan said anyone is welcome to drop off fluorescent bulbs and tubes at the Half Day Road firearms training center.
Fluorescent tubes and bulbs up to 48 inches long will be collected from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Broken bulbs won't be accepted.
Brennan said Highland Park is a good fit for the recycling test program because residents there tend to be environmentally aware.
"Our residents, per household, recycle more than anyone in Lake County," Brennan said.
Proponents say one curlicue-shaped compact fluorescent light bulb saves about $30 over its life span. The bulbs have mercury gas inside that reacts to electricity and produces ultraviolet light.
Should a compact fluorescent light bulb break, mercury fumes could spread if the pieces are vacuumed.
Rather, a broom or duct tape should be used to collect the particles, placing them in a plastic bag that seals. The room where the bulb breaks should be ventilated.