Don't throw away those old fluorescent bulbs
Residents of Ocean County are being encouraged to recycle their old fluorescent light bulbs through a new program being offered by the county. The goal of the program is to keep mercury out of the water stream.

Residents can drop off a maximum of five bulbs or lamps between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the county's regional recycling centers, the Ocean County Northern Recycling Center in Lakewood and the Ocean County Southern Recycling Center in Stafford Township. There is no charge to drop off the bulbs, but registration is required and open only to residents.

The program will accept 4-foot, 6-foot and 8-foot fluorescent lamps as well as ushaped, circular and compact fluorescents. Supreme Asset Management and Recovery, Lakewood, a recycler of electronic equipment including the fluorescent bulbs, computers and televisions will handle the recycling.

The fluorescent fixtures and light bulbs will also be accepted during the county's household hazardous waste collection, which will be held locally at the Lakewood Township Municipal Garage, One American Way, Lakewood, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 24. Call (732) 367-0802 for details, registration and other locations.

Materials accepted at the household hazardous waste collection sites are: paints, thinners, boat paints, solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, aerosol cans, auto products, toilet and drain cleaners, silver polishes, oven cleaners, photographic chemicals, rug and upholstery cleaners, polishes and bleaches, waste oil and used gasoline.

As part of the effort to reduce the mercury in the waste stream, the county is continuing the thermometer exchange program - for every mercury thermometer dropped off, the county provides a new digital one also .