Recycling program for products containing mercury launched in South Dakota

Retail collection at select Ace Hardware stores in South Dakota's Black Hills. NOTE: As of January 2009, Ace Hardware in Hot Springs and Knecht Home Center in Spearfish are no longer collecting CFLs for recycling.

Beginning May 1, 2008, consumers can recycle compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and mercury-containing thermostats at Black Hills area Ace Hardware stores as part of a pilot coordinated by the Product Stewardship Institute, Women's Voices for the Earth, and Ace Hardware, with the support of the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This take-back, pilot project, funded in South Dakota by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Black Hills Power (a South Dakota Energy Smart partner), runs from May through December 2008.

"The goal of this program is to provide consumers with a way to safely recycle these mercury products at easily accessible retail outlets," said Scott Cassel, PSI's executive director. "Ace Hardware has taken a leadership position on this issue and will provide residents with a simple way to recycle used CFLs, fluorescent tubes, and mercury-containing thermostats."

Fluorescent lamps and thermostats both contain mercury. Although no mercury is released when these products are in use or intact, when disposed of in the trash, crushed, incinerated, or otherwise broken, they can cause mercury to be released into the environment.

By using participating Ace Hardware locations, these products can be collected rather than ending up in landfills and dumps where toxins can be released. After collection, all the products will be shipped to Veolia Environmental Services and the Thermostat Recycling Corporation, where the mercury is removed and other materials recycled.

"Mercury products are typically collected at local household hazardous waste collection sites, but these can be in out-of-the way places or open for limited hours," said John Essmann of Ace Hardware. "By providing a safe and convenient location for fluorescent lamp and thermostat recycling, retailers can play an important role in reducing mercury pollution."

The use of CFLs has exploded in the last few years with rising energy costs driving consumers to purchase the energy efficient light bulb. CFLs not only use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs but also last up to 10 times longer. Because they require less energy to produce light, CFL use significantly reduces the amount of greenhouse gas and other emissions from power plants.

"Newkirks Ace West is excited about offering a new service to the people of Rapid City," said Dana Koupal, manager of Newkirks Ace Hardware. "Many people in Rapid City are concerned about keeping the environment safe and we are proud to provide a service that can help."

More than 250 million CFLs were sold in the United States in 2007. It is estimated that only 2 percent of CFLs are recycled. While sales of mercury-containing thermostats, which contain a larger amount of mercury, are on the decline as manufacturers have shifted production to non-mercury digital thermostats, there are still an estimated 50 million mercury-containing thermostats in homes throughout the United States. Until now, safe disposal options for many consumers in South Dakota have been limited or nearly non-existent.

"Although CFLs have an average lifespan of five years, efforts are needed now to create an infrastructure that supports recycling of these products," added Cassel. "With the lessons learned here, we'll create a how-to guide for retailers across the country to institute their own CFL and thermostat recycling programs."

Consumers can bring their mercury thermostats and up to seven CFLs or other fluorescent lamps (up to 4-foot long linear tubes) at a time to participating Ace stores.

South Dakota residents can participate in this program at these Ace locations:
Hot Springs:
Ace Hardware, 207 S. Chicago St. Phone: (605) 745-5173

Rapid City:
Newkirk Ace West, 1724 W. Main. Phone: (605) 342-5678
Knecht Home Center, 320 W. Boulevard. Phone: (605) 342-4840
Newkirk Ace East, 1602 E. Saint Patrick St. Phone: (605) 343-9797

Spearfish:
Heisler Ace Hardware, 535 N. Main St. Phone: (605) 642-2811
Knecht Home Center, 312 26^th St. Phone: (605) 642-8836

Information provided by Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. and Women's Voices for the Earth.
May 2008