Press Release - For Immediate Release
June 26, 2007, San Luis
Obispo County, California
BY: Bill Worrell, IWMA
The San Luis Obispo
County Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA)
announces the
implementation of the "SLO Take Back Program" for household
batteries,
fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
Nearly every
retailer throughout San Luis Obispo County who sells household
batteries or
fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) will now
take those
items back from the public for free. Consumers who want to shop
green can now
safely and easily recycle these products.
More than 300 local businesses
are providing this free service to the
public. Participants range from
national chain stores such as Costco and
Kmart to local stores such as Farris
Lighting. Nearly every retailer who
sells either batteries or fluorescent
tubes and compact fluorescent light
bulbs (CFLs) in San Luis Obispo County is
participating. A few stores, such
as Home Depot and Target, are not
participating in the program. A complete
list of businesses where you can
safely recycle these items is available on
the IWMA website
(www.iwma.com)
.
For the public, participating in the "SLO Take Back
Program" is free and
easy. Bring your household batteries, fluorescent tubes
and compact
fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) to any of the participating retail
stores during
regular store hours. You can either put the items in a special
collection
container or give them to a store employee. This is an ongoing,
free service
provided to the public. Businesses can also participate by
calling
805-481-9213 to make an appointment.
The household batteries
should be fully discharged. Lithium batteries should
have tape placed on the
metal contacts. Fluorescent tubes and compact
fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) should
not be broken and should be carefully placed
in the collection containers to
prevent breakage.
Household batteries, fluorescent tubes and compact
fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)
are considered hazardous because they contain
mercury. It's illegal to throw
away these items in your garbage or recycling
can, or to dispose of them at
a landfill. You can be confident that disposing
of these items at the "SLO
Take Back Program" locations will mean the items
will be sent off to be
properly managed which includes recovering the
mercury.
The "SLO Take Back Program" is funded by a grant from the
California
Integrated Waste Management Board.
Bill Worrell
SLO
County IWMA
870 Osos Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Ricanthony@no.address
RichardAnthonyAssociates.com
San Diego,
California