The following is a release from King County:

Safely recycling compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), fluorescent tubes, and other light bulbs that contain toxic mercury is about to get a lot easier at several King County solid waste transfer stations.

Thanks to a new statewide product stewardship law that resulted in the LightRecycle Washington program, mercury-containing light bulbs and tubes are now accepted at no charge at the County’s Bow Lake, Enumclaw, and Vashon recycling and transfer stations.

The mercury-containing light bulb and tube recycling collection service at King County’s Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station has been changed from a paid drop-off service to a no-charge service.

The household hazardous waste facility at the County’s Factoria Transfer Station will continue to accept CFLs, fluorescent tubes, and other mercury-containing lights at no charge.

There is a limit of 10 bulbs/tubes per person, per day at King County facilities and at all other LightRecycle Washington collection locations. Learn about the different types of bulbs and tubes accepted through the new program. Visit www.LightRecycleWA.org for additional recycling options for CFLs and fluorescent tubes, including convenient drop-off sites at local retailers.

The product stewardship law requires lighting manufacturers to create a statewide program for collecting and recycling mercury-containing lights. The program is funded through an environmental handling charge that is added to the retail price of lights containing mercury.

Expanded recycling opportunities were made available in mid-2014 at the County’s Bow Lake, Cedar Falls, Enumclaw, Houghton, Renton, Shoreline, and Vashon facilities.

One major improvement is that customers can combine paper, aluminum cans, tin cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles and other types of plastic containers in one recycling container at those King County facilities. Cardboard, scrap metal, and other materials are collected separately.

Through its landfill and recycling and transfer station facilities, King County Solid Waste Division provides recycling drop off services, and garbage transfer and disposal for residents and businesses in all of King County, except for Seattle and Milton.

The Division also provides household hazardous waste disposal options and recycling education programs. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/index.asp. Information is also available by calling 206-477-4466.