Efforts Begin to Reduce Mercury Content in CFLs
by Francine Hardaway on May 30th, 2008
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) have emerged as one of the most environmentally prudent indoor-lighting options. They use one-quarter to one-fifth the electricity of incandescent bulbs, and can last about 10 times longer. But there’s a big problem: they cannot be disposed of in the trash in most states and in Europe, because they contain between 2.5 and 3 milligrams of mercury.
To reduce hazardous waste at its source, leading CFL manufacturers have committed to reduce the mercury content of their products.
General Electric is one of the largest manufacturers investing in lower-mercury CFL technology.
Despite the mercury content, switching to CFLs is the most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a McKinsey & Company analysis.
Have some old CFLs to get rid of? Use Earth 911’s recycling locator to find a drop off location near you.
1:52 pm on May 30th, 2008
I live in Fairfield, CT. The closest public place to recycle CFLs is Naugatuck, CT, 25 miles away. Along with the effort to reduce the mercury in CFLs up to 80%, which is great, will more places for recycling them be developed? How can people help with this effort? I write an environmental blog for Farifield University called “The Reluctant Environmentalist,” and we are promoting CFLs. How can we promote recycling? — Mariann Regan, miranda @optonline.net. (http://blog.fairfield.edu/redtogreen/)
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