A new three-way partnerships among the U.S. Postal Service, lighting manufacturer Osram Sylvania and Veolia Environmental Services now provides RecyclePaks for easy drop-off of worn-out compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) at 37,000 postal facilities. Consumers can tuck up to 20 small- and medium-sized bulbs in the protected pack, designed for households and small businesses. Larger recycling containers also are available.

CFLs use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, emit less heat and last up to 10 times longer. However, they do contain trace amounts of mercury that must be properly handled to keep it out of landfills.

To order a $15 consumer CFL recycling kit, go to Sylvania.com and click on recycling.