By ecoRI News staff
The Clean Water Fund (CWF) and the Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management (DEM) have joined forces with small businesses to
collect mercury-containing lighting elements, such as compact fluorescent bulbs
(CLFs).
Hardware stores in 12 communities across the Ocean
State that sell the bulbs are offering residents a free collection service for
burned-out CFLs and linear lamps up to 4 feet in length. The stores will ship
the bulbs to a proper recycling facility.
This collection service will help prevent one source of mercury,
a powerful neurotoxin, from finding its way into the environment. The program
makes it convenient for consumers to return spent bulbs for recycling.
“The project will demonstrate that when businesses and
environmental advocates work together, efficient and economical solutions can
be found to limit the health hazards of toxic materials in our communities,”
said David Gerraughty, CWF’s mercury program coordinator.
Mercury can cause damage to the brain, kidneys and nervous
system, and is of particular concern for pregnant women and children because of
its effects on childhood development. Most people contact mercury through fish
consumption.
Here
are locations (including some in South County) where you can recycle fluorescent bulbs:
Collecting
Mercury Bulbs in Rhode Island - Participating Retailers
Jerry’s
Paint and
Hardware
120 Point Judith Road
Narragansett, RI, 02882
Ace Hardware
633 Putnam Pike Rd
Greenville, RI, 02828
Center Ace Hardware
156 County Road
Barrington, RI, 02806
Salk Hardware and Marine
2524 West Shore Rd.
Warwick, RI, 02889
Salk Hardware and Marine
5939 Post Road
North Kingstown, RI, 02852
Adler’s Hardware
173 Wickenden St.
Providence, RI, 02903
Wyoming Hardware
1190 Main Street
Wyoming, RI, 02898
Vose Hardware
849 Cumberland Hill Rd.
Woonsocket, RI, 02895
Humphrey’s Building Supply
590 Main Rd
Tiverton, RI, 02878
Newport Hardware
1 Casino Terrace
Newport, RI, 02840
