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Xcel Energy, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment unveil CFL and thermostat recycling program

Recycling bins at all 104 Colorado Ace Hardware stores

DENVER - Coloradans can now drop-off their used compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and mercury containing thermostats for recycling at any Ace Hardware store in the state, Xcel Energy and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced today.

Energy Star qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than typical incandescent light bulbs. However, CFLs contain small amounts of mercury and must be recycled appropriately. ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats help save energy when used properly and are mercury free. Manual thermostats contain mercury and must be recycled.

Bins are in place behind the counters of the 104 Colorado Ace Hardware stores so residents can recycle their used CFLs and thermostats. To prevent breakage, store employees will take bulbs and thermostats from residents and place them into the bins. When the bins are full, a store employee will ship them to be recycled. The entire bin will be recycled - contents and container included - ensuring no mercury will escape.

"It's important to support consumers making smart energy choices, and the recycling program is a great way to do that," Gov. Bill Ritter said.  "Anything that makes it easier for people to improve efficiency will make a difference for the environment and our energy needs."

“We’re pleased to partner with the State to offer our customers, and people throughout Colorado, a way to easily dispose of used compact fluorescent light bulbs,” said Tim Taylor, president and CEO of Public Service Co. of Colorado, an Xcel Energy company. “We’ve encouraged our customers to use energy-efficient lighting for years and they’ve responded. Today we’re taking the next step to help those people who are helping the environment. We’re making the recycling of the bulbs hassle-free.”

The bulb-recycling program is for CFLs only, not fluorescent tubes and is intended for residential use, not for businesses or the commercial industry.

Xcel Energy customers that replace one incandescent bulb with an Energy Star qualified CFL can reduce their energy bills by up to $30 over the life of each 60-watt equivalent bulb and protect the environment. The company estimates that each CFL reduces the Colorado region's carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 180 pounds each year and 1,270 pounds over its lifetime, compared to the use of a 75-watt incandescent bulb (based on Energy Information Administration 1605(b) Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases, assuming operation hours, regional emissions factor and a lifetime of seven years).

Used CFLs and mercury containing thermostats should not be disposed of in household trash receptacles. If a CFL or thermostat breaks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has advice at: <http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm>.