CFL disposal?

Question

i am on the verge of converting all of my lightbulbs to CFL's. the only holdup is the proper disposal of a bulb if i need to purchase a new one or if the bulb breaks. i am hesitant to purchase a product that contains as much mercury as it does but the EPA states to dispose of bulbs simply take the CFL back to the store of purchase and they would properly recycle.

once a CFL is returned, is there any guarantee the mercury-infused product is properly taken care of?

i would hate to make an effort to help mother earth but in return due more possible damage.

Answer 1

Actually, the net environmental benefit of using CFLs to replace incandescent lamps is positive.  Reductions in mercury emissions from reduced power generation far outweigh mercury emissions from any type of lamp disposal activity. To minimize emissions from lamp disposal activities, NEMA recommends recycling CFLs and other fluorescent lamps, which is required by law in some states and local jurisdictions. NEMA is also working with US EPA, retailers and other groups to increase available recycling options.  Lamps that are not recycled typically end up in landfills and, to a lesser extent, household waste incinerators. Neither of these is a significant source of mercury emissions to the environment. Landfill emissions are extremely small and incinerators are tightly controlled by regulations established under the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments, which led to a 90+% drop in incinerator emissions over the subsequent decade. Emissions from lamp disposal activities pale in comparison with the volume of mercury emissions from coal-fired utilities, mining operations, and other major sources of mercury. So while mercury is an important environmental issue, lamps are a minor contributor to the problem, and, as discussed above, actually reduce overall mercury emissions to the environment. The US EPA, environmental advocacy groups, and energy efficiency groups are all aware of these facts, and all promote the use of CFLs as a preferred environmental option.

Recycling services are widely available for the business and commercial sectors and are becoming more and more accessible for households, depending on location. Retail chains such as Ikea, Ace Hardware, and Tru Value accept CFLs at an increasing number of their locations. In some states, utilities are administering collection programs using funds provided through ratepayer schedules. Meanwhile governments at all levels are convening stakeholder meetings and working groups to evaluate recycling solutions.  NEMA members are participating in several such efforts and continue to promote recycling through www.lamprecycle.org and company-specific efforts. In addition, the US EPA provides recycling information at the following Web site: www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling.

If you want the most environmentally friendly lamps today you should look at EarthMate Lighting

Answer 2

Don't do it Dug...

Let me start off by saying we (my family and I) live 100% off of the grid and are completely self-sufficient with a 0% Carbon footprint. I believe this is the first step anyone can make “help the environment”. Once you convert your own life style to a greener more eco friendly route, you can start helping others.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, right now, are more " eco-wise" then anything else most consumers can get a hold of (ie. incandescent) and currently save over 2000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases.

But since my house is completely on solar / wind and we REALLY need to watch usage, every light is fitted with s***w type (typical 110v lamp socket style) LED bulbs. They emit the same luminosity (typically 45) but at only 1watt rather then a 45w compact or 10w CFL. However they usually cost twice as much as CFLs which is twice as much (or more) as compacts. Still LEDs would be the way to go by far.

As for the second part of your question...

Mercury IS the lesser of the evils, without getting toooo elaborate discussing specifics (ie. which burns ozone faster, other layer's besides ozone, disposing locations, methods, wind conditions, etc), one needs less mercury gas then most others, to obtain the same luminosity in a vacuum because of mercury's longer agitated spectral wavelength. Mercury's wavelength is more blue which is a longer more "luminous" or brighter light to say sodium, which is a more light orange or shorter less bright (red being the shortest) wavelength. so you'd need more sodium or other, in the tube or more electricity to the tube, to create the same luminosity as mercury.

so mercury wins out only because the sheer volume needed is less then the others.

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at  www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.

Dan Martin

Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative & Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular People From All Over The World... Instantly Elevating Their Income & Lowering Their Debt, While Saving The Environment by Using FREE ENERGY... All With Just One Click of A Mouse...For more info Visit:  

www AGUA-LUNA com

Stop Global Warming!!!

Answer 3

Go to the place of purchase and ask them about their recycling program to ensure it is done. As far as the mercury trade offs, which is better? CFLs use 1/4 the power of light bulbs. 23 watts of CFL for the equivalent light of a 100 watt light bulb.

It requires more coal burning to generate the 100 watts of power. Burning coal to generate electricity produces mercury emissions as well as contributes more to acid rain. The mercury ends up in our water and food that we consume.

If you have air conditioning in your house, paint the exterior a lighter color, plant trees and save the 1000s of watts per hour of electrical generation. Air conditioning is in fact refrigeration and if your building needs it, it has a solar exposure problem on absorbent finishes.

Answer 4

Break it open and sniff the vapors. This will cause mercury to be stored in your brain, and therefore it will not contaminate the earth.

Answer 5

You should give it to PG&E for recycling. They are technically the most trustable source for lightbulb recycling.

Answer 6

better get used to it, a new federal law requires us to stop using instant on (incandescent) bulbs 4 years from now.