CFL PROGRAM

The SWP Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Program

The SWP is distributing nearly 100,000 CFLs to households across the UP.  As a part of this 3 year project funded by the Michigan Public Service Commission, the SWP is giving away free CFLs to households through churches, tribes, local units of government, and community service organizations. 

The general public is encouraged to pick up their packet of 6 lightbulbs at the following municiple buildings.  No registration necessary.  More are being added every day, so check back often. 

• City of Houghton, 616 Sheldon Ave.
• City of Hancock, 399 Quincy St.
• Village of Ontonagon, 315 Quartz St.
• City of Ironwood, 213 S. Marquette St.
• City of Iron River, 106 W. Genesee St.
• City of Iron Mountain, 501 S. Stephenson Ave.
• City of Kingsford, 305 S. Carpenter Ave.
• Delta County offices, 310 Ludington St.
• City of Menominee, 2511 10th St.
• City of Escanaba, 410 Ludington St.
• City of Gladstone, 1100 Delta Ave.
• Peter White Public Library, Marquette, 217 N. Front St.
• City of Manistique, 300 N. Maple
• Village of Newberry, 307 E. McMillan

With each packet of 6 bulbs recipients are being asked to fill out a form and send to the SWP office with their "before" and "after" electricity bills.  WHY?  We want to find out if this project has resulted in energy (and money) savings to the residents of the UP.  

As an example, if install your bulbs on July 1, 2010, the SWP is asking that you send in your June 2010 and August 2010 electricity bills.  This way we can record your wattage used before and after CFL installation. 

Questions?  Call us at 906-228-6095. Check out this video of the CFL distribution on Earth Day 2010 to Earth Keepers Churches UP-wide. 

Why are we doing this?  

The SWP is interested in learning just how much energy and money is saved by converting incandescents to CFLs.  We know they use less energy, but how much can the average resident save by using CFLs? 

How to dispose of old CFLs?

We know CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury.  So what do you do with them once they burn out?  The SWP recommends contact your local household hazardous waste dealer or the County offices.  Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority accepts CFLs for disposal in their regular scheduled household hazardous waste collections.  Click here for more resources on CFL disposal.  

Click here for a listing of UP CFL Recycling site (last updated 9/1/10).

Local Units of Government Recycling Locations

Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority
For a complete schedule visit: http://www.mcswma.com/hhw.html
(Marquette residents only)

Chocolay Township Offices
5010 U.S. 41
Harvey, MI 49855-9001
(906) 249-1448

Delta County Landfill
8am-3pm, Monday – Friday; 8am-noon, Saturday
5701 19th Ave. North
Escanaba, MI
www.dswma.org
(Delta County residents only)

Chippewa County
Accepts CFLs ONLY during household hazardous waste collections.
1423 W. Easterday Ave
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
These pre-scheduled event dates are as follows:
July 17 and September 18, 2010
Participants are asked to call and set up a drop-off time prior to coming.
Please call (906) 632-0525 for more information or visit www.northerntransitions.org. 

Dickinson County
Accepts CFLs the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9-10am. 
Dickinson County Recycling
W7702 US2
Quinnesec, MI  49876
It is free for Dickinson County residents only. 
Call (906) 779-5868 for more information.

**********Local units of government can sign up to host a CFL collection bin at NO COST.  Call Natasha at 906-228-6095 for more information.**********

How do you deal with broken CFLS? Broken CFL Guidelines

Want to lessen your carbon footprint?
Check out the Earth Keepers 2008 Energy Checklist.