The Ameren Illinois Utilities are committed to helping our customers spend less on their energy by using less energy. One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce energy consumption is to replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs.

Because the CFLs should be disposed of properly, we have worked with the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to make CFL recycling easier for all Illinois residents.

Your CFL Recycling Options

Through a grant from DCEO, the Ameren Illinois Utilities are providing CFL recycling containers to interested retailers, thus making proper disposal of CFL bulbs easy, convenient, and free to all Illinois residents. Currently, the following retailers have volunteered to provide recycling containers at select stores in Illinois:

• Ace Hardware
• Springfield Electric Stores
• County Health Departments

Use our Authorized CFL Drop-off Location List to find authorized CFL recycling locations in your area.

Consumers may also contact their local municipal solid waste agency directly, or visit www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling or www.earth911.org to learn more about their recycling options.

Why recycle my CFL bulbs?

Compact fluorescent lights contain trace amounts of mercury vapor--it's what makes these bulbs so energy efficient. On average, each CFL contains about 5 milligrams of mercury vapor--an amount equal to the size of the period at the end of this sentence. It's important to know that CFLs are safe to use and pose no danger when used properly.

As the popularity of energy-efficient lighting grows, it becomes even more important to dispose of CFLs safely and responsibly. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs. Proper recycling allows us all to enjoy the benefits of CFLs while properly managing their special disposal needs.

Learn More

To find out more about the benefits of CFLs, check out our Switch to Energy Efficient Lighting page.

If a CFL should break accidentally at your home, click here to learn the proper clean-up and disposal.