Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 6, Issue 12, December 2002

Copyright 2002 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article and photos below in your research. Be sure to quote the Seattle Sun as your source.

Home and Garden Briefs

Dispose of CF bulbs properly

Many people enjoy electricity savings by using long-lasting compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than regular light bulbs.

CF bulbs should not be put in the trash when they burn out because they contain a small amount of mercury, Seattle City Light notes. When bulbs are in use, the mercury is safe and contained, but when CF bulbs end up in landfills, the mercury can cause significant environmental harm.

City law requires that CF bulbs be disposed of at a free Household Hazardous Waste site. For the location and hours of the sites nearest you, call the Household Hazards Line at 296-4692 or visit www.seattle.gov/util/services and click on "Hazardous Waste" under "Other Services."

New hours at disposal stations

The City's two Recycling and Disposal Stations have new hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week. The stations are open every day except New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The North Seattle station is located at 1350 N. 34th St. in Wallingford. Recyclable materials are accepted free of charge at both stations, except for appliances and tires, which are accepted for a fee. Garbage, yard waste and other materials are also accepted for a fee. For details, visit www.cityofseattle.net/util/services/transfer.