Bellevue-based Puget Sound Energy has now distributed more than 10 million free and discounted compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to its more than 1 million electric customers in Western Washington since the residential lighting program launched in 2002.

There is now an average of 10 energy-saving bulbs in use for every customer in the utility’s 9-county electric service area.

“Our customers understand that even a decision as small as the light bulbs they choose can make a big difference,” said Cal Shirley, vice president of Energy Efficiency Services for PSE. “CFL bulbs will help PSE customers save a collective $430 million in energy costs over the lifetime of these 10 million bulbs.”

CFL bulbs are 75 percent more efficient than traditional, incandescent types and last up to 10 times longer.

Though safe to use in the home, CFL bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury, so used CFL bulbs should be recycled. PSE offers free recycling of CFL bulbs at 14 office locations. Used, unbroken CFL bulbs can be placed in the labeled bins in the office lobbies. Free CFL bulb recycling is also available at Bartell Drugs stores, Home Depot, IKEA, and county and municipal household hazardous waste locations.