Recycling Questions
Where is the closest recycling center for Computers, electronics and home hazardous chemicals?
The City of Chicago Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Collection Center is the closest center for residents in the Chicago and North Shore Suburban Area. It’s located at 1150 N. North Branch St. on Goose Island in Chicago – just east of the Kennedy Expressway at Division Street.
What is the difference in recycling Oil vs. Latex paints?
Oil paints will be accepted by the Chicago Recycling Center. However, they do not accept latex paints. Code Green Recycling and Lights will use accepted methods for drying out latex paint and will then recycle the paint can. There are also centers in the area that can recycle latex paints.
Why do Computers and other electronics need to be recycled?
In most states, it is illegal to simply throw your old computer away as it is considered hazardous solid waste as it is routinely constructed using hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
The Illinois EPA does not currently require that households recycle their electronic equipment but recycling is an environmentally friendly choice that all households should seriously consider.
Materials such as cabling, plastics and metal are stripped out for recycling in bulk and are melted down for reuse. Recycling the circuit boards and similar equipment is by far the hardest thing to do. The recycling engineer needs to dismantle each computer by hand to separate the PC’s circuit boards from the computers base-unit. The old computer and monitor circuit boards are sorted into massive boxes and then sent off to undergo a chemical materials extraction.
High Efficiency Light Bulb Questions
Why should we use Compact Florescent Lights (CFL’s)?
• CFL’s use about one-quarter of the energy to produce the same amount of light.
• CFL’s last about 10 times longer.
• CFL’s produce about 75 percent less heat, which reduces cooling costs.
• CFL’s save about $30 or more in electricity costs over the lifetime of the bulb.
• CFL’s have manufacturer-backed warranties.
• CFL’s meet strict energy efficiency and performance requirements.
In 2007, Americans saved $1.5 billion by switching to CFLs. The energy saved could light all the households in a city the size of Washington, DC for over 30 years. Put another way, changing these bulbs removes as much greenhouse gas pollution as planting 2.85 million acres of trees or taking 2 million cars off the road each year.
How do CFL’s work compared to regular bulbs?
CFLs have come a long way in the last 20 years. Today’s CFLs use advanced technology; are small; quick to light up; efficient; produce better light; and are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Some even work on dimmers or three-way switches.
CFLs produce light differently than incandescent bulbs. In an incandescent, electric current runs through a wire filament and heats the filament until it starts to glow. In a CFL, an electric current is driven through a tube containing argon and a small amount of mercury vapor. This generates invisible ultraviolet light that excites a fluorescent coating (called phosphor) on the inside of the tube, which then emits visible light. CFLs need a little more energy when they are first turned on, but once the electricity starts moving, use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs.
Do CFL’s hum?
Older CFLs used large and heavy magnetic ballasts that caused a buzzing noise in some bulbs. Most CFLs today — and all ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs — use electronic ballasts, which do not buzz or hum.
Do I need to recycle CFL’s? What about the mercury in them? How do CFLs result in less mercury in the environment compared to traditional light bulbs?
Yes, CFL’s should be returned for recycling at the nearest recycling center. Code Green provides free pickup for clients.
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in 125 CFLs. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use.
Electricity use is the main source of mercury emissions in the U.S. CFLs use less electricity than incandescent lights, meaning CFLs reduce the amount of mercury into the environment. As an example, a 13-watt, 8,000-rated-hour-life CFL (60-watt equivalent) will save 376 kWh over its lifetime, thus avoiding 4.5 mg of mercury. EPA recommends that CFLs are recycled where possible, to maximize mercury savings.
