Though they may last for quite a while, compact fluorescent lightbulbs must be handled properly when their useful life has ended.

The Cambria County Solid Waste Authority accepts compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) for proper disposal at their office located in Ebensburg. Though the bulbs last up to 10 times the life of a regular incandescent lightbulb, small traces of mercury found in these “swirly” energy-saving bulbs warrant a disposal outlet capable of handling the materials safely and effectively.

The collection is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in order to provide a safe outlet for the disposal of these bulbs. CFL bulb sales have increased nationwide in efforts to save energy and greenhouse gasses. “If all of the households in Pennsylvania changed just one incandescent light bulb to an Energy Star-qualified CFL, consumers could save $25.5 million annually on household electric bills and prevent nearly 382 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year,” said former DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty. “That is the power of energy efficiency, and we need to encourage people to take advantage of that power by adopting these safe and readily available technologies as soon as possible.”