Blue's News

Summer 2005

Fluorescent Lamp Disposal

Did you know that fluorescent lamps contain mercury which can be a hazardous waste? Mercury is an essential material that helps lamps operate more efficiently, yet it is hazardous to humans and the environment. Mercury can be found in fluorescent light tubes, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and high intensity discharge lamps (HID) as well as in batteries, thermometers and thermostats.

It’s easy to collect and recycle used fluorescent lamps. Place them back in their original boxes or a container that completely holds the tube or bulb and can be closed. The box should be labeled, "Used Lamps for Recycling." The lamps shouldn’t be broken and kept in good condition. Close the container to prevent the tube or bulb from spilling or breaking.

If the tube breaks, the mercury may not be visible and some of it may vaporize into the air, potentially causing harm to anyone in the immediate vicinity. Don’t handle the broken tube with bare hands and if you are in an enclosed space, the heating and cooling system should be shut down, and the room ventilated safely.

Don’t place fluorescent lamps in the trash, curbside recycling bin or into the containers at any of the City of Boise glass collection sites.

Businesses should review their hazardous waste generator status and determine if they are a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG). If a business meets the CESQG status, it can make arrangements for recycling of the light tubes and bulbs with the Ada County Household Hazardous Waste facility at 577-4736 for a nominal charge.

Used fluorescent lamps from your home can be delivered to the Ada County/Boise City Household Hazardous Waste collection sites FREE! For locations, site collection days and more, check out http://www.cityofboise.org/public_works/services/solid_waste/house_haz.

BFI/Allied Waste Services and Boise City will again partner to celebrate America Recycles Day. A school-age art contest (K-6) will be offered with the prizes ranging from gift certificates to a shiny, new bicycle. Kids should inquire early with their teachers to see if their class is participating in this event. The event is open to all Boise area school-age kids.

BFI/Allied Waste Services reminds customers to call a few days ahead when needing to dispose of large bulky items (mattresses, water heaters, couches, etc.) to schedule a FREE pick up. Typically, a truck is sent out every Tuesday and Thursday to collect these items, however we will not pick up a large item curbside if it hasn’t been scheduled.

The service is free to Boise City residents and customers can contact BFI/Allied Waste Services at 345-1265 to arrange a pick up day.

BFI/Allied Waste Services observes the following six holidays:

• New Years Day

• Memorial Day

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Thanksgiving

• Christmas
  

If your normal collecton day falls on or after the designated holiday, your collection will be delayed by one day. Questions? Call BFI/Allied Waste Services customer service at 345-1265.

Recycle the Fall

November 7 - December 2, 2005, turn leaves into compost instead of trash. Place leaves, yard and garden trimmings, and grass in paper bags, small to medium-sized cardboard boxes, or clean garbage cans. The paper bags and cardboard boxes will be composted along with their contents. Please keep the containers open for easy identification and set them out on your regular trash day for BFI/Allied Waste Services to collect. You can also drop your leaves off at the Hidden Hollow Landfill free of charge. Leaves set out in plastic garbage bags or mixed with trash will be landfilled. Watch for a reminder postcard from Boise City in October. For more information, contact the City of Boise Public Works Department at 384-3901.

Give to Mother Nature after Christmas by recycling your tree curbside, January 3-13, 2006.

It’s FREE, quick, easy and it saves space in the landfill. To recycle your Christmas tree, remove the tree stand, lights, and all ornaments and decorations. Trees should be cut into 4-foot lengths and placed next to trash cans on your regular collection day. Wreaths can also be recycled provided all decorations and wires have been removed. Both will go into the wood waste recycling area at Ada County’s Hidden Hollow Landfill where they will be ground into wood chips. For more information, contact the City of Boise Public Works Department at 384-3901.

Along with an increase in events and festivities, warm weather also brings more construction around the Treasure Valley and an increase in waste from yards and other sources. During the summer and fall months BFI/Allied Waste Services reminds its customers of the following in hopes of continuing to pick up trash in an effective and timely manner.

• Please have your trash and recycling bin on the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your collection day, even if BFI/Allied Waste Services typically doesn’t come until later in the day. At times, BFI/Allied Waste Services needs to change its routes depending on construction and other variables.
• Don’t panic if your trash and recycling hasn’t been picked up by its usual time. Because of the increase of trash and road construction, it may take longer for us to get to your street.
• Each trash can should weigh less than 60 pounds in order for it to be picked up.
• Please make sure your trash can is in its regular place to be picked-up and isn’t being blocked by vehicles or any other obstructions.
• When contacting BFI/Allied Waste Services, please be prepared to give the representative your address, the nearest cross street and the name on the account. If you are put on hold, you have the option to leave a message after five minutes.

Inquiries may also be sent to info@bfiidaho.com. However, for urgent matters or trash and/or recycling misses, a BFI/Allied Waste Services customer service representative should be contacted at (208) 345-1265.