Wal-Mart Stores Hosting CFL Recycling Event

Wal-Mart teams up with Waste Management LampTracker for CFL recycling.  LampTracker, a provider of mail-back recycling for fluorescent lighting, was recently acquired by Waste Management.

The partnership will feature a CFL recycling day, Saturday June 23rd, at Wal-Mart stores, Supercenters and Sam's Clubs in several states.

The recycling events will offer consumers a free and convenient opportunity to drop-off and recycle their used compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and fluorescent tubes. The bulbs will be collected at kiosks outside stores from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CFLs contain a small amount of mercury and should be recycled just like batteries, computers, cell phones, thermostats and other household products.

The recycling events will take place in Minnesota, California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Tulsa, Okla.

The event is a first in the industry and a move some expect will help the retailer cultivate an environmentally friendly image and perhaps drive sales.

"The secret to retailing is, 'How do you drive footsteps?'  retail consultant Howard Davidowitz told the Pioneer Press. "Any time you drive people into your stores, you win."

Other retailers have been making similar efforts "but no one as boldly and consistently" as Wal-Mart in the last year, said Joel Makower.

"This advertisement is one part of a larger effort Wal-Mart's been undertaking to show some green leadership, and they have an uncanny knack for green initiatives that really help build sales where they can really combine doing well with doing good," he said

Comments

[Rex Postlewaight]

Well I'd like to see that here in Missouri. We can't even get alot of green friendly lightbulbs in our wal-marts here.

[jen]

Does this program of Walmart's have a particular name?
We'd like to ask our local branch to step up!

[Zachary Reinoehl]

Is the event on a Saturday or on June 23rd? As the latter is Tuesday and has, in fact, passed, I would just like some clarification. Thanks