Published: November 02, 2009 08:15 pm         

EnerStar offers drop offs for used bulbs

PARIS, IL — When that energy-saving compact fluorescent bulb finally burns out or you’ve changed the oil in your lawn tractor, what do you do with the waste?

EnerStar Electric Cooperative in Paris, Ill., can help you “be green” and clean up clutter with two recycling resources. One is for disposing of that used up light source, the other for used oil.

EnerStar is an authorized drop-off center for used compact fluorescent bulbs. Members may bring their used bulbs to the office at 11597 Illinois 1. In addition, the co-op partnered with the Paris Public Library and the Marshall Public Library to offer this recycling service to the community. Anyone can drop off bulbs at either of the libraries. The service is available for free.

The condition of the bulb is important. Broken bulbs or long tubes are not accepted. The smaller broken bulbs should be doubled bagged in a press-to-seal bag and disposed of with regular trash.

“We are very pleased to offer this service to the community,” said Angela Griffin, EnerStar’s Manager of Member Services. “We have received a very good response at all of the three locations.” Griffin added that several containers of compact fluorescent bulb already have been recycled.

The local electric cooperative also accepts used oil from residential “do-it-yourselfers” at its headquarters during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, if the size of the container is larger than 5 gallons, people are asked to call the office for an appointment.

Before draining cars or machinery of oil, have a suitable container on hand, one that can be sealed and transported. Also, do not mix the oil with other liquids such as antifreeze, gasoline, paint thinner, brake fluid or water.

Mike Clark, EnerStar’s Manager of Operations, says the used oil is a type of renewable energy for the cooperative. The cooperative takes in about 700 to 800 gallons a year. It in turn is burned at the EnerStar headquarters to heat a shop and a truck garage, one where the diesel trucks are stored.

“It’s a win-win situation for the community,” said Clark. “It allows those who change their own oil to recycle it properly, and EnerStar can use the oil to save money on heating costs, thereby reducing operating costs.”

For additional information on the recycling programs, contact EnerStar at (217) 463-4145 or 1-800-635-4145. Clark can be reached at Ext. 616 regarding oil recycling, and Griffin can be reached at Ext. 603 regarding bulb recycling.

EnerStar Electric Cooperative serves more than 5,334 members over 1,520 miles of line in parts of Clark, Coles, Douglas, Edgar and Vermilion counties. Visit www.enerstar.com for more information.