Fluorescent Lamps
Global phenomenon: The movement to phase out energy-hogging incandescent lamps has swept the globe with amazing speed. Late in 2006 Wal-Mart announced they planned to sell 100 million compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in the U.S. in 2007-- which will by itself double the market. In January 2007 state legislators in California and New Jersey introduced bills. Australia became the first country to ban incandescents in February, followed by the European Union in March, and Canada in April.
Local government response: Local governments enthusiastically support phasing out energy-hogging lights. But we do not want to see a new problem created in its place. CFLs contain toxic mercury (see below) and few are recycled. Initial proposals to ban or phase out incandescents ignored the mercury disposal problem or assumed that local government and taxpayers will be happy to clean up the mercury-containing products. But local governments have neither the capacity nor resources to manage this waste stream. Current recovery rates are two percent for CFLs in the U.S.(for all fluorescents, including commercial tubes, it is only 25 percent). Local governments are saying: “Great idea to switch -- producer responsibility for financing and managing hazardous lamp recycling is the logical next step.”
Local Governments Organizing for Producer Responsibility
- Manufacturer Take Back: The Next Step for Energy Efficient Lighting Products
- Statement by three local government product stewardship councils -- California, Northwest and British Columbia -- coordinated by Product Policy Institute
- Media Release - May 8, 2007
- Asking the right question: New York State, May 3, 2007
Lawmaker proposes ban on incandescent light bulbs if fluorescent lights can be recycled
- CPSC letter to Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (31Jan07) pdf
- Bay Area Clean Water Agency to San Jose Mercury (06Feb07) pdf
- Local government letters to Wal-Mart
- British Columbia PS Council letter (17Jan07) word
- California PS Council letter (24Jan07) pdf
- Northwest PS Council letter (01Feb07) pdf
The Mercury Problem
Only two percent of CFLs are recycled in the U.S. Most of the 98 percent of CFLs that are discarded gets smashed en route to landfills and incinerators in packer trucks, releasing mercury vapors that are inhaled by trash collectors and escape into the air to settle out and be washed into our streams and rivers. The residue in landfills forms methyl mercury gas, which is especially toxic.- Health impacts of mercury from broken bulbs in landfills NEMOA offsite
- Mercury in energy-saving bulbs worries scientists Reuters (27Mar2007) offsite
- CFL Bulbs Have One Hitch: Toxic Mercury (15Feb2007) NPR pdf
Retailer Initiatives
- IKEA's CFL Take Back Program offsite
- Article on Wal-Mart plan to sell 100 million CFLs in 2007 (02Jan07) pdf
- Wal-Mart achieves 100 million three months early (02Oct2007)offsite
- Wal-Mart achieves 100 million three months early (02Oct2007)offsite
Manufacturer Response
- GE Lobbies for Federal Intervention (23Feb07) pdf
- Manufacturer Take Back of Lamps - NEMA, 2003 pdf
Position paper by National Electrical Manufacturers Association in 2003 opposing CA take back legislation. "The existing lamp recycling industry opposes manufacturer collection as interfering with efficient collection of spent lamps." [Note: 2003U.S. recycling rate for CFLs was two percent.]
Current California Legislation <click here>