(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- September 11, 2009 – With more Miami-Dade residents purchasing and using fluorescent light bulbs at home to save electricity and help the environment, the Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) reminds residents of the importance of proper disposal once their bulbs stop working.

“Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, which should be kept out of the environment,” said Solid Waste Director Kathleen Woods-Richardson. “For that reason, they should be protected from breaking and they should not be thrown out with the garbage or put into the recycling cart.”

Residents should take old, unbroken fluorescent bulbs—both the coiled compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and the long-tube type fluorescents—to one of DSWM’s permanent Home Chemical Collection Centers for disposal, Mrs. Woods-Richardson said.

The DSWM has two Home Chemical Collection Centers, one in west Miami-Dade County at 8831 N.W. 58th Street and the other in south Miami-Dade at 23707 SW 97th Avenue, Gate-B. Normal hours of operation for both centers are Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Centers accept hazardous home chemicals (such as pesticides, solvents and pool chemicals) in addition to unbroken fluorescent light bulbs from residential, non-commercial customers only. Residents are also advised that some home improvement stores will accept CFLs (but not long-tube fluorescent bulbs); residents should check with their nearest store.

Broken fluorescent bulbs can be a health hazard due to their mercury content, and should be handled properly. The U. S. EPA has a website with instructions on how to clean up and dispose of a broken fluorescent bulb safely, at http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#fluorescent.

For more information about the proper disposal of fluorescent light bulbs or other home chemical wastes, visit the DSWM web site at http://www.miamidade.gov/dswm/.