Recycling Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)

After converting all your old incandescent to CFLs it seems like a waste to simply throw those used bulbs away. Properly recycling used CFLs is just as important as making the conversion from incandescents. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, less than the amount in a typical thermometer, but enough that proper disposal is important.

There are various County locations as well as private businesses that accept used CFLs. Also, if your bulb is Energy Star certified and it fails to last one year it can be exchanged for a new bulb at its place of purchase.

Arlington County recycles used CFLs as part of their household hazardous materials (HHM) program. Drop-off locations include:

• Aurora Hills Library at 735 S. 18th St., 703-228-5715
• Central Library at 1015 N. Quincy St., 703-228-5990
• Courthouse Plaza Library at 2100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-228-3352
• Solid Waste Bureau at 4300 S. 29th St., 703-228-6570
• HHM Disposal Facility at 530 S. 31st St., 703-228-6832. Only open Saturdays.

Operation times for these locations vary, so please call for details.

Some businesses also accept used CFLs. We’ve included some examples and the nearest locations. (Note – by listing this information, ACE is not endorsing these companies.)

• Home Depot at 6210 Seven Corners Center, Falls Church, 703-534-9580
• MOM’s Organic Market at 3831 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria.

For more recycling locations and information, please visit Earth 911’s web site or disposal facts featured on Arlington County’s recycling web site.

Arlington Police Join Over the Limit, Under Arrest Campaign; Crackdown on Impaired Driving

ARLINGTON, VA -Arlington County Police Department announced today it
will join other law enforcement agencies throughout the country in
support of an intensive campaign regarding impaired driving August
21-September 7, known by its tagline, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit.
Under Arrest.”

In 2007 alone, nearly 13,000 people died in crashes in which the drivers
or motorcycle riders were legally impaired, according to the latest
statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Among them were 245 children under age 15 – innocent victims of crashes
that could have been avoided.

“All too often, innocent, law-abiding people suffer tragic consequences
and the loss of loved ones due to this issue. Because we’re committed to
ending injuries, we’re intensifying enforcement during the crackdown.
We’ll be especially vigilant during high-risk nighttime hours when
impaired drivers are most likely to be on our roads,” said Lieutenant
Robert Medairos.

It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or
higher in every state. More than 10,000 police agencies will participate
in this year’s mid-August through Labor Day campaign, including the
Arlington County Police Department.

The national Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest, crackdown is
led by NHTSA and combines high-visibility enforcement with heightened
public awareness through advertising and publicity.  For more
information on the crackdown, visit the High-Visibility Enforcement
Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

“Driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences. Do not take
the chance. Remember, if you are over the limit, you’re under arrest,”
said Lieutenant Medairos.

Gulf Branch Nature Center

Tell us about your ideas, personal stories, and data points on how we can keep the Gulf Branch Nature Center open.  The Civic Association will be speaking in front of the County Board on Tuesday, March 24th and we want to be sure to capture all of your thoughts.  Thanks!