Environmental Defenders recycling drives

The Environmental Defenders will conduct Second Saturday recycling drives from 9 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of even numbered months, i.e. Feb. 9, April 12, June 14, Aug. 9, Oct. 11 and Dec. 13. The drives will be held at the Farm Bureau parking lot, 1110 McConnell Road, Woodstock.

Accepted will be fluorescent bulbs, batteries, (donation suggested) and packing peanuts, and reusable bubble wrap.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency released a report on fluorescent bulbs and high-density discharge lamps. These bulbs can be found in homes, schools, businesses and stores and contain mercury-vapor, metal-halide and high-pressure sodium - all harmful to the environment and humans. In addition to the threat of contamination of ground water reserves and aqua filters the mercury and chemicals in these bulbs are toxic and endanger waste handlers and transporters when they are disposed of with household trash. For this reason the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County hold a collection for fluorescent tubes and bulbs and household batteries on the secnd Saturday of even-numbered months in Woodstock, and second Saturday of uneven months in McHenry.

Fluorescent tubes and batteries are not accepted by waste haulers for recycling and they should not be put into landfills because of the mercury they contain. The Defenders have outlets where they can be sent, but the process of recycling these items can be costly. Therefore we suggest a donation of approximately 50 cents per pound for household batteries and per fluorescent tubes/bulbs

The Environmental Defenders is a grassroots environmental organization aimed at working with citizens and their elected officials on the preservation and improvement of the environment.

For more information about this topic, check out our Web site at www.mcdef.org.