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Great River Energy and the Center for Energy and Environment introduce free compact fluorescent light recycling at all Minnesota Menards locations First-of-its-kind program offers convenient recycling option Maple Grove, Minn. – Great River Energy and its 28 member cooperatives have joined with the Center for Energy and Environment to offer CFL recycling at no charge. Residential customers can drop off expired CFLs at the service desk of any of the 36 Menards home improvement stores located in Minnesota. Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) reduce energy costs and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs, but due to the presence of a small amount of mercury CFLs must be recycled. In Minnesota, it is illegal to throw CFLs in the garbage. Until now there hasn’t been a free and convenient way to recycle them. “This is the first recycling program of its kind in the state,” said Great River Energy Environmental Compliance Coordinator Matt Herman, “We provide electrical service to 28 member cooperatives across the state and partnering with Menards gives our members a free and convenient recycling option from International Falls to Rochester and Duluth to Moorhead.” CFLs reduce energy costs by up to $30 per bulb over its lifetime and use 75 percent less energy than incandescent lights. They also last 10 times longer and generate 70 percent less heat than standard incandescent bulbs. Only compact florescent bulbs will be accepted. Tubes or other mercury-containing items will not be accepted. If unacceptable materials are brought to the store, Menards service desk team members will help to provide information on proper disposal. For more information on your recycling options, visit www.earth911.org or www.pca.state.mn.us. About Great River Energy Great River Energy provides wholesale electricity to more than 1.7 million people via 28 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin. With more than $2 billion in assets, Great River Energy is the second largest utility in the state, based on generating capacity, and the fifth largest generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative in the United States. Great River Energy’s member cooperatives range from those in the outer-ring suburbs of the Twin Cities to the Arrowhead region of Minnesota to the farmland of southwestern Minnesota. Great River Energy’s largest distribution cooperative serves more than 120,000 member-consumers; the smallest serves just over 2,400. About the Center for Energy and Environment The Center for Energy and Environment is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation that works to promote the responsible and efficient use of natural and economic resources. CEE accomplishes this mission through research, program development, delivery and evaluation, financing and public policy initiatives. CEE has provided energy, environmental and housing rehabilitation services to utilities, private corporations, neighborhood organizations, municipalities and public agencies for over twenty-five years. CEE has a staff of over 45, including research engineers, architects, programmers, analysts, design coordinators, construction managers, IAQ technicians, loan officers and policy analysts. Established in 1989, the Center for Energy and Environment is the leading nonprofit resource on energy efficiency and financing opportunities in Minnesota. About Menards A family-owned company started in 1960, Menards currently operates 240 stores in 11 Midwestern states including 36 in Minnesota. Menards is well-known for its complete selection of high-quality, name brand merchandise, tools for any job, and state-of-the-art in-store computers to help guests design their special projects. Menards carries the materials and tools for all of your home improvement projects from just needing a light bulb to building a new house! Menards is recognized throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family.
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