So you have bought the compact fluorescent light bulb this year to positively influence the environment BUT did you know that these bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, a neurotoxin.

Why use CFL?

CFLs are a good deal. Shoppers have gotten used to seeing their curly shape on store shelves, and adoption rates have really taken off. About 100 million were sold in the United States last year.

Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy (electricity) than incandescent light bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, cost little up front, and provide a quick return on investment.

Electricity use is the main source of mercury emissions in the U.S.  CFLs use less electricity than incandescent lights, meaning CFLs reduce the amount of mercury into the environment. A 13-watt, 8,000-rated-hour-life CFL (60-watt equivalent; a common light bulb type) will save 376 kWh over its lifetime, thus avoiding 4.5 mg of mercury.

According to the federal government, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star approved compact fluorescent bulb (CFL), the United States would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.

Energy Star qualified CFLs use at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer (average lifespan of a CFL is five years).

CFLs save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb's lifetime.
CFLs generate 70 percent less heat, making them safer to operate.

CFLs also help to reduce greenhouse gasses, other pollutants associated with electricity production, and landfill waste (because the bulbs last longer); they are clearly the environmental winner when compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs.

Problems with CFL

The problem with the bulbs is that they can break before they get to the landfill. They can break in containers, or they can break in a dumpster or they can break in the trucks. Workers may be exposed to very high levels of mercury when that happens.  When bulbs break near homes, they can contaminate the soil.

Some states, cities and counties have outlawed putting CFL bulbs in the trash, but in most states the practice is legal.

Recycling Options

If your CFL bulb burns out, please contact your local municipal solid waste agency directly, or go to www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling  or www.earth911.org  to identify local recycling options.

If your ENERGY STAR qualified CFL product burns out before it should, look at the CFL base to find the manufacturer’s name. Visit the manufacturer’s web site to find the customer service contact information to inquire about a refund or replacement. Manufacturers producing ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are required to offer at least a two-year limited warranty (covering manufacturer defects) for CFLs used at home. In the future, save your receipts to document the date of purchase.

Home Depot has become the largest U.S. retailer to launch a general CFL recycling program. Almost 2,000 Home Depot locations will now accept any type of CFL for recycling without charge to the consumer.

Ikea will take back all the burnt CFL bulbs purchased from their stores.

Be responsible; don’t throw your CFL bulbs in local garbage.