Compact fluorescent light bulbs are light bulbs that use less energy and have a long life, making them more environmentally friendly than incandescent light bulbs.
However, if they are not disposed of properly, they can leach out mercury and cause more environmental damage.
In Gainesville, there are several places you can take your CFLs to recycle them or properly throw them away.
Gainesville Regional Utilities has a comprehensive list on its website of places the bulbs can be taken.
Bulbs can be taken to any Alachua County Waste Collection site. They can also be taken to George's Hardware, at 3424 W. University Ave.; The Lighting Gallery, located at 2430 NW Sixth St.; and Home Depot, located at 5150 NW 13 St. and 7107 NW Fourth Blvd.
Another store that lets you recycle your CFLs is Batteries Plus, 3320 SW 35 Blvd. Not only do they accept bulbs, but they also take many batteries.
For the types of batteries and bulbs Batteries Plus recycles, click here.
For more places to go, visit the GRU website.
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