Celebrate Earth Day all year long, not just on April 22! To help raise awareness about the importance of recycling fluorescent bulbs, Foster City will hold a special fluorescent bulb collection event from May 4 through May 8 at City Hall. Foster City will collect compact fluorescent bulbs from the public, and provide information about where used bulbs can be returned year-round.

Earth Day reminds everyone to ask what steps they can take to make their communities safer and healthier by protecting the environment. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) tops many of the Green Tip lists, because CFL’s save energy and provide same level or higher light output and installing them throughout the home is simple. They have also become inexpensive, thanks to market competition and promotions by public utilities such as PG&E. They can last up to 7 times longer than an incandescent bulb.

However, burnt out fluorescent bulbs cannot be discarded with the regular household trash. They contain mercury, which is harmful to the environment. California’s ban on placing the used bulbs in the trash leaves many consumers wondering what to do with them. Take It Back partnerships offer convenient, free locations for the public to dispose of the CFL’s. Anyone can simply stop in at a participating store and hand the used bulb to a store employee. A list of year-round Retail Take-Back Partner Locations can be found at www.flowstobay.org/toxic.

The May 4 through May 8 temporary collection event at City Hall is a joint partnership effort sponsored by San Mateo County Environmental Health and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Foster City is also a member of the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPP), dedicated to raising awareness about preventing water pollution in our creeks, the Bay and ocean and encouraging actions that prevent urban runoff pollution. SMCWPP’s website, www.flowstobay.org, contains information about many steps individuals, businesses, and local governments can take to protect local waterways.

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CFL Collection Event
Date: May 4-8
Time: 8 AM – 5 PM
Location: Foster City City Hall Lobby 610 Foster City Blvd. Foster City, CA 94404