Federal government to start phasing out incandescent bulbs in 2011
Published: 1/25 10:46 pm
Updated: 1/25 11:32 pm
In December, manufacturers will no longer be allowed to distribute traditional 100-watt bulbs. Then in January 2013, 70-watt bulbs will be dropped from production. By 2014, there will be no more traditional incandescent bulbs manufactured.
"The federal government does this every couple of years. They put out new standards for electrical appliances, in this case it's light bulbs trying to improve energy efficiency, so it's kind of why they do it because of the predominance of incandescent bulbs," said SUNY ESF Professor Dr. Richard Smardon.
While the removal of incandescent bulbs from the market may force a change in purchasing habits, it also will impact energy use. The bulbs cost a little more up front, but they're designed to last longer and save energy in the long-run.
"If you have a lot of light, this is the way to go. These are going to save you a lot of money and if they are going to be left on for a long continuous time this is the way to go," said Home Depot Salesman Mike Iovine.
Over their lifetimes, a CFL bulb has a significant savings over an incandescent one. For example, a 60-watt bulb left on for eight hours per day for a year would cost more than $12. An energy-saving bulb with 13-watts will use less than $3 worth of energy over the same period.
"If you look at the macro savings in terms of energy savings it's probably worth it," Dr. Smardon said.
There are, however, some drawbacks to the materials inside the bulbs - namely mercury.
"You get a few calls a year, most people don't bother because they think it's a light bulb. Some people don't know that it could really affect their health," said firefighter and EMT Todd Farnsworth.
"Some of the bulbs they come in all different sizes but some CFL'S don't fit really small light fixtures so that could be a problem and it may mean you have to get a new light fixture or you don't use CFL's in that light fixture," Dr. Smardon said.
The Environmental Protection Agency reccomends the following guidelines for the proper disposal and handeling of CFL's:
Why is Recycling CFLs Important?
- Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator.
- Other materials in the bulbs get reused. Recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.
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Recycling and Disposal After a CFL Burns Out
What If I Can't Recycle?
If your state or local environmental regulatory agency permits you to put used or broken CFLs in the regular household trash, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put it into the outside trash for the next normal trash collection.
Storing CFLs and Other Fluorescents
Store fluorescent light bulbs in containers that prevent them from breaking, such as in their original boxes, boxes from replacement bulbs, or containers supplied by fluorescent light bulb recyclers. Recyclers generally require that the light bulbs arrive unbroken.
EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local options for recycling CFLs, other fluorescent bulbs and all household hazardous wastes rather than disposing of them in regular household trash.
View information about CFL recycling and disposal requirements specifically for businesses.
Why is Recycling CFLs Important?
- Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. Learn more about CFLs and mercury.
- Other materials in the bulbs get reused. Recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.
- Your area may require recycling. Some states and local jurisdictions have more stringent regulations than U.S. EPA does, and may require that you recycle CFLs and other mercury-containing light bulbs. California, Maine, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Vermont and Massachusetts
, for example, all prohibit mercury-containing lamps from being discarded into landfills. Check the map below or visit Earth911.com to contact your local waste collection agency, which can tell you if such requirement exists in your state or locality.
How and Where Can I Recycle CFLs?
Waste collection agencies | Local retailers | Mail-back services- Contact your local waste collection agency by visiting Earth911.com . Many counties and cities have household hazardous waste drop-off locations and/or curbside and other special collection programs. To find locations where you can drop off bulbs, and when and where a collection may be held in your area, contact your local waste collection agency directly by visiting Earth911.com . Note that waste collection agencies:
- provide services that are usually free, though some may charge a small fee.
- sometimes collect household hazardous wastes only once or twice a year, so residents will have to hold on to their light bulbs until the collection takes place. Other collection agencies provide collection services throughout the year.
- may also collect paints, pesticides, cleaning supplies or batteries.
- usually accept waste only from residents, although some collection programs include small businesses as well.
- Visit your local retailers. Ace Hardware, Home Depot, IKEA, Lowe's, Orchard Supply and other retailers offer in-store recycling. Visit Earth911.com to find stores in your area. Check directly with the store before you go; not all stores in regional or nationwide chains may be equipped to recycle. EPA is working with retailers to expand recycling and disposal options.
- Find out about mail-back services. Some bulb manufacturers and other organizations sell pre-labeled recycling kits that allow you to mail used bulbs to recycling centers. The cost of each kit includes shipping charges to the recycling center. You fill up a kit with old bulbs, seal it, and bring it to the post office or leave for your postal carrier. Websites that provide more information about mail-back services .
- Heritage Lifecycle Mailback Services
- Lamprecycling.com (AirCycle)
- Osram Sylvania
- Think Green From Home (Waste Management Inc.)
- Veolia Environmental Services
- U.S. EPA does not endorse, recommend, certify, authorize or approve of any of these services;
- there may be other similar services of which we are not aware; and
- we only provide these links as a convenience to our web visitors.
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cusinator5000 - 5:32 AM
Trying to reduce emissions and conserve energy are great ideas. However, if you break these blubs accidentally they emit mercury in gas form which can then be inhaled, and there is a possibility of negative health effects, particularly for pregnant women and children. Until these bulbs can be manufactured so they are less easily broken, or so that the mercury vapors would be contained, it doesn't seem fair to require consumers to buy them. Below I've included a link to the EPA's 3 pages of instructions on how to clean up one of these broken bulbs without contaminating yourself.
http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.pdf
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