From the Newsletter

FREE CFL Light bulbs available at East Hills for our neighbors

WMEAC Powers Up “Project Light Change” in Grand Rapids Neighborhoods

Project Light Change, an energy efficiency focused project of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC), will be distributing another 20,000 FREE Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs to residents in the City of Grand Rapids. Continuing in August 2010, neighborhood associations will be working with WMEAC to distribute the CFLs to households throughout the city.

Project Light Change aims to help residents of Grand Rapids save money on their utility bills by reducing energy consumption.  CFL bulbs are good for the pocket book as well as the environment. CFLs use up to 75% less energy than their standard incandescent or “traditional” counterparts. One bulb could save a homeowner $30 or more over its 5+ year lifespan. The 20,000 CFLs distributed in Grand Rapids will have a positive effect on the community by saving residents about $940,000 on electric bills and preventing emissions of more than 21 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents, a measure of greenhouse gas impact.

Accompanying the bulbs will be educational literature describing the benefits of replacing traditional bulbs with CFLs, why residents should recycle CFLs, and where they can take CFLs to be recycled in Grand Rapids.

Residents of East Hills Neighborhood Association will be receiving their free CFLs on July 26, 2010. The CFLs will be distributed out of our office and can be picked up at any time (call or e-mail if you are interested).

Why should you recycle your burned out CFL?  All CFLs contain a small amount of mercury. That mercury can be released into the environment if it is sent to the landfill or waste incinerator. Many citizens in Grand Rapids are unaware that their trash is collected and taken to a waste incinerator. Although the waste-to-energy process produces electricity from the refuse, it is also the worst place for a CFL bulb to wind up at the end of its useful life. The project’s coordinator, Ann Erhardt, said that “We want to encourage residents of Grand Rapids to recycle their CFLs but also we want educate them as to why it is important to their community that CFLs do not end up in the landfill or waste incinerator.”

There are many locations in Grand Rapids that will recycle CFLs free of charge. Kent County has four recycling locations. In addition, all Lowe’s and Home Depot stores accept CFLs from homeowners for recycling. These services are free.   

In addition, East Hills Council of Neighbors will be accepting CFLs for recycling. Visit our office at 131 Eastern Ave. during normal business hours, 9am-3pm (if we’re not there call and/or e-mail if you are interested).

Residents are encouraged to contact the East Hills Neighborhood Association office at (616)454-9079 for more information on how to receive their free CFLs.

Project Light Change is funded by the Michigan Public Service Commission. WMEAC is a non-profit, membership organization working to lead environmental protection in West Michigan by inspiring action.   Additional information can be found on the WMEAC website www.wmeac.org or by contacting the project coordinator at 616-451-3051 x24.

WMEAC Powers Up “Project Light Change” in Grand Rapids Neighborhoods

Project Light Change, an energy efficiency focused project of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC), will be distributing another 20,000 FREE Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs to residents in the City of Grand Rapids. Continuing in August 2010, neighborhood associations will be working with WMEAC to distribute the CFLs to households throughout the city.

Project Light Change aims to help residents of Grand Rapids save money on their utility bills by reducing energy consumption.  CFL bulbs are good for the pocket book as well as the environment. CFLs use up to 75% less energy than their standard incandescent or “traditional” counterparts. One bulb could save a homeowner $30 or more over its 5+ year lifespan. The 20,000 CFLs distributed in Grand Rapids will have a positive effect on the community by saving residents about $940,000 on electric bills and preventing emissions of more than 21 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents, a measure of greenhouse gas impact.

Accompanying the bulbs will be educational literature describing the benefits of replacing traditional bulbs with CFLs, why residents should recycle CFLs, and where they can take CFLs to be recycled in Grand Rapids.

Residents of East Hills Neighborhood Association will be receiving their free CFLs on July 26, 2010. The CFLs will be distributed out of our office and can be picked up at any time (call or e-mail if you are interested).

Why should you recycle your burned out CFL?  All CFLs contain a small amount of mercury. That mercury can be released into the environment if it is sent to the landfill or waste incinerator. Many citizens in Grand Rapids are unaware that their trash is collected and taken to a waste incinerator. Although the waste-to-energy process produces electricity from the refuse, it is also the worst place for a CFL bulb to wind up at the end of its useful life. The project’s coordinator, Ann Erhardt, said that “We want to encourage residents of Grand Rapids to recycle their CFLs but also we want educate them as to why it is important to their community that CFLs do not end up in the landfill or waste incinerator.”

There are many locations in Grand Rapids that will recycle CFLs free of charge. Kent County has four recycling locations. In addition, all Lowe’s and Home Depot stores accept CFLs from homeowners for recycling. These services are free.   

In addition, East Hills Council of Neighbors will be accepting CFLs for recycling. Visit our office at 131 Eastern Ave. during normal business hours, 9am-3pm (if we’re not there call and/or e-mail if you are interested).

Residents are encouraged to contact the East Hills Neighborhood Association office at (616)454-9079 for more information on how to receive their free CFLs.

Project Light Change is funded by the Michigan Public Service Commission. WMEAC is a non-profit, membership organization working to lead environmental protection in West Michigan by inspiring action.   Additional information can be found on the WMEAC website www.wmeac.org or by contacting the project coordinator at 616-451-3051 x24.

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