Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs, or CFLs, have been touted as a way to greatly reduce our electricity consumption.
Mercury in CFLs vs. Power Plants
There has been concern lately about mercury found in CFLs. While mercury is a concern, it is important to note that by using these bulbs, we are in fact helping to reduce our mercury output.
Currently, the amount of mercury released into our landfills from CFLs is negligible. Because of these bulbs’ long lifespan, only after 2010 will a majority of the CFLs currently in use need to be disposed of. At this time, it is estimated that roughly 80 to 100 million CFLs will be disposed of improperly. This number may sound considerable, but when you do the math, the amount of mercury in this large number of CFLs is only about 500 kilograms, or the
weight of a medium-sized cow.
On the other hand, the roughly 600 coal-fired power plants in the United States emit about 50,000 kilograms of mercury each year, or the weight of a herd of cows. These power plants supply over half of our nation's electricity. By using CFLs, you are reducing our dependence on these mercury-emitting coal plants significantly.
Just for Comparison
• Mercury in one CFL = 5 milligrams
• Mercury per year from coal plants in the U.S. = 50,000 kilograms
• Weight of one cow = 500 kg.
Though you are reducing the amount of mercury allowed into the environment by using CFLs, it does not mean that we can simply throw them into the trash after they have burned out. We have a duty to preserve the health of our fellow human beings and to protect the environment by disposing of these light bulbs properly.
How to Recycle CFLs
Unfortunately, right now there are not many places that take back used compact fluorescent light bulbs. Ikea accepts the bulbs after they have been used, and many hazardous waste collection sites across Texas also accept them. To find a collection site near you, go to: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assistance/hhw/contacts.html. This website will tell you the address of a nearby collection site, and their hours of operation. We recommend that, because CFLs burn out so infrequently, you have a collection bin for them at your church and elect someone to take that bin to the collection site on a monthly basis, or whenever it becomes filled. Be sure that you store them in a secure bin with a lid in a place where they will not be broken. In the event that you break a CFL, put on a pair of kitchen gloves, pick up the pieces and wipe the area down with paper towels. Double bag all the waste in Ziploc bags and air out the area for at least 15 minutes. Take this waste along with your used CFLs to your local hazardous waste collection site.
For more information about mercury in compact fluorescent light bulbs and/or ways to recycle your bulbs, use any of the following resources:
http://www.txipl.org/
http://lamprecycle.org/
http://sustainablog.blogspot.com/2007/09/lighter-footstep-how-to-recycle-cfls.html
http://www.earth911.org/master.asp?s=ls&cat=9&serviceid=192&type=-1
(Photo "Fluorescent Light Bulb" by User p.Gordon used under a Creative Commons-Attribution License.)