EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Lane County is encouraging retailers to help recycle compact fluorescent bulbs and help prevent toxic mercury contamination in landfills.
The Register-Guard reports the compact bulbs are energy efficient but they contain a tiny amount of mercury that could lead to serious pollution problems in landfills.
Lane County Waste Management officials say they are trying to get the word out to consumers to help businesses such as Emerald Valley Gardens, the latest in a string of Lane County stores that have agreed to accept spent fluorescent bulbs and turn them over to a county and state-run recycling program.
Daniel Shea, the owner of Emerald Valley Gardens, says the program makes it easy for him to help his customers recycle — and he hopes more consumers and businesses will join the effort.
