Solid start to free fluorescent recycling program

More than 422,000 fluorescent lights were collected in Washington state in the first six months of a new program that allows dropping off the mercury-containing lights at no charge.

Since 2010 Washington state law has required that fluorescent bulbs and other lights, such as high-density discharge lamps, that contain mercury be recycled.

The lights can be left at Ace Hardware stores in Richland, Kennewick, Grandview, Othello and the Grigg’s Ace Hardware in Pasco. Patnode’s True Value in Benton City and Batteries Plus Bulbs in Kennewick also take the bulbs at no charge.

More regional drop off sites are posted at LightRecycle.org.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 1:24 PM with the headline "Solid start to free fluorescent recycling program."