In order to help small businesses properly recycle their used fluorescent lamps (fluorescent bulbs or tubes), there will be a used fluorescent lamp collection on Tuesday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the parking lot of the Scott County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility.

The facility is located at 588 Country Trail East (Highway 282), a half mile west of the intersection of Highways 13 and 282 and County Road 17. The HHW facility does not accept business waste without prior approval; however, the parking lot will be used for this business bulb collection event due to the convenience provided by its central location within the county.

Participating businesses will be charged low rates for the disposal of their various mercury-containing devices, including used fluorescent lamps and waste electronic devices. Payment is required at the time of the collection (if you bring a check to pay the disposal fee for your items, the check can be made out to "Retrofit Recycling, Inc"). If possible, transport used lamps to the collection in their original (or similar) containers since this will help to minimize or prevent breakage. When fluorescent lamps are broken, mercury vapor is released into the air.

Once again this year, several local utility companies have agreed to pay for the disposal of the first 10 lamps from any of their commercial and/or industrial customers (at no charge to their customers). Be sure to bring proof of a business utility account, such as a copy of the billing statement or receipt that can be left with your items, showing that you have a business account with Minnesota Valley Electric (MVEC), New Prague Utilities Commission, Shakopee Public Utilities, or Xcel Energy.

Anyone recycling large quantities (over 1,000 lamps), should contact Retrofit Recycling Inc. directly at 1-800-795-1230 to arrange for an on-site pickup. For more information, call the Scott County Environmental Health Department 24-hour Information Line at (952) 496-8787 or visit www.co.scott.mn.us for a list of prices charged and items accepted.