Sacramento News & Review: green guide>sustainability
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 29, 2007
Green your habits!
Jennifer Davidson
Sacramento News & Review
May 24, 2007.
A 25-count recipe for a reduced carbon footprint
Engineering a biological battery from viruses or moving to a completely sustainable lakeside cabin may sound like two of the coolest ways to fight global warming, but few of us will get to recount stories as exciting as these to our grandchildren. If you’re like me and live in the hustle and bustle of Sacramento with exorbitant trash production and traffic congestion that can cause people to grow horns and a tail, don’t despair. Carving out a green lifestyle is easier than you think.
Recipe ingredients: Concern for the environment, conscientious thought, a creative mind
Does not contain: A lot of time, energy or money
Instructions: Begin with the 25 simple green habits below. Use or adapt to suit your lifestyle. Sprinkle a dash of creativity to double your recipe.
1. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Even if you aren’t crazy about the lighting, select a few places in your home where the quality of lighting isn’t imperative, such as your closets, basement, garage and hallways.
2. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
A family of four can save hundreds of gallons a month.
3. Send an e-postcard to your Congress member to take action to safeguard the Earth.
Visit www.nrdc.org/action and select the cause you want your local official to support. It’s simple. The e-postcard is already written. Just type in your e-mail address, click and send.
4. Bring your own mug to your favorite coffee shop.
Ask them to fill ’er up instead of using a paper or Styrofoam cup.
5. Use canvas bags for groceries.
Readily available at your local grocery store, these durable, reusable sacs eliminate the paper vs. plastic debate.
6. Buy fairly traded coffee.
By doing so, you provide small coffee farmers the opportunity to earn a fair profit on their product, which allows them to support themselves and improve their quality of life. Where do you get it? Your local Starbucks sells fairly traded coffee–brewed or whole beans.
7. Replace your paper napkins and towels with cloth.
8. Bank online.
Pay your bills online, opt for electronic statements and ask your employer for direct deposit. You’ll reduce paper use, travel to and from your bank, and the transportation required to deliver your mail.
9. Use a clothesline.
Reduce the energy you use to dry your clothes and help keep your house cool this summer.
10. Plant a shade tree and get it free!
SMUD has partnered with the Sacramento Tree Foundation to provide homeowners with free, four- to seven-foot tall trees. Call (916) 924-TREE to get yours today. Lobby PG&E to start a similar program.
11. Install rain barrels.
Set them up this summer, capture fall and winter rain to water your garden next season. Make sure the barrels you buy are compatible with a standard garden hose.
12. Change a green diaper.
Eww! I mean a G Diaper–a fashionably cute fabric on the outside, flushable on the inside. Visit www.gdiaper.com.
13. Reduce your meat intake by one meal a week.
The beef industry produces more Earth-polluting emissions than transportation.
14. Sign up for SMUD’s Greenergy program.
For a few dollars a month, a portion of your energy will be purchased from renewable (green) sources.
16. Go green when you clean.
Purchase your cleaning products and hygiene supplies that are made with natural-based ingredients and do not test on animals.
17. Bike to lunch.
If biking or walking to work isn’t an option for you, slap your bike on the back of your car and bike to your favorite restaurant for lunch instead of driving.
18. Reduce your trash.
Buy bulk products with reduced packaging. Set up a simple recycling center at home–use bins to separate paper, plastic and glass. Compost biodegradable waste if you’re a gardener or dispose of it in the garbage disposal instead of the trash.
19. Turn off lights when you leave the room.
Simple.
20. If it’s yellow, let it mellow.
If it’s brown, flush it down. No explanation needed, right?
21. Dispose of hazardous materials properly.
Visit www.earth911.org to learn how to dispose of more than 250 materials.
22. Say no to junk mail.
Visit the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov to remove your name from these lists. Think of the trees you’ll save!
23. Buy Fido a custom-made dog house made of recycled materials by local Sacramentan, Carlos Taylor. You can reach Wheel Estate Pet Homes at (916) 308-3130.
24. Buy a solar cooker from Sacramento’s Solar Cookers International.
Try cooking with the cleanest energy, the sun, with none of the work. Visit www.solarcookers.org or call (916) 455-4499.
25. Grab an Earth-friendly bite to eat.
Stop by the Sunflower Natural Food Restaurant in Fair Oaks or munch on fresh fruits and veggies from your local co-op or farmers’ market. Visit www.cafarmersmarkets.com/search to find a market near you.
Des Moines Register: Illuminating the environment with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 29, 2007
Brighter and better fluorescent light bulbs help reduce global warming but can be hazardous when trashed
MARY CHIND / THE REGISTER
May 29, 2007
Chris Sterk, manager of the Ace Hardware store in Johnston, is putting up signs to point out environmentally safe products throughout the store. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are one of the products that will be highlighted.
About mercury
Mercury is naturally found in the environment, with most of the man-made emissions coming from power plants. Due to their energy efficiency CFLs though, reduce the amount of mercury released by power plants by more 75 percent compared to an incandescent.
Mercury is most often exposed to humans through contaminated fish and can be particularly dangerous to pregnant women and young children, though the FDA estimates that few people are exposed to levels high enough to do harm.
Exposure to mercury can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver and cause trembling hands, memory loss and difficulty moving so proper handling of broken bulbs is important.
Illuminating the environment with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs
Brighter and better fluorescent light bulbs help reduce global warming but can be hazardous when trashed
If every home in Des Moines changed just one bulb, it could …
Counteract the annual emissions from 1,188 cars
Light 869 homes for a year
Reduce the pollution that causes smog by 78 percent
Why use them? Risk is low if properly used, efficiency benefit is huge
- Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) produce the same amount of light as a typical incandescent bulb using one-third of the energy.
- They last up to 10 times longer, which means less hassle buying and changing bulbs and fewer incandescents in the landfills.
- You save money in energy costs. Replace a 60-watt incandescent with a 13-watt CFL and save $30 in energy costs over the lifetime of the bulb.
- CFLs produce 70 percent less heat, making them more energy-efficient and safer.
- They lessen pollution from power plants. Each CFL can prevent more than 450 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in its lifetime.
- They reduce the amount of mercury and nitrogen oxide emissions, which cause smog, from power plants.
Don’t trash the bulbs; recycle them to keep environment safe
CFLs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. No mercury is released when the bulbs are used properly, and any released into the air when a bulb breaks poses a low risk, if cleaned up properly. However, when bulbs in a landfill break, the mercury can contaminate the soil and water, entering the human food chain. For this reason, it is important to dispose of the bulbs properly.
- Des Moines metro residents: Collect CFLs and take them to the Metro Waste Regional Collection Center north of Interstate Highway 80 and U.S. Highway 65 near Bondurant. Disposal is free for metro residents. Broken bulbs are not accepted.
- Central Iowa: Metro Waste Authority works with communities in 20 counties to collect hazardous waste, including fluorescent light bulbs, at satellite sites and drop-off events. For a list of communities working with the facility, its hours and additional information, go to www.metro-waste.com.
- Statewide: A number of other regional collection centers can be found throughout the state. Find this article on DesMoinesRegister.com for a map of areas served and a list of contact information.
- If disposal services are not available: Place the bulb in a sealed plastic bag before putting it in the trash. Do not burn a CFL.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, MidAmerican Energy, General Electric, Philips, New York Times, U.S. Census
GRAPHICS AND RESEARCH BY KELLI BROWN/THE REGISTER
PHOTOS BY MARY CHIND/THE REGISTER
Bulb collection at stores may be future of recycling
Currently, only about 1 to 2 percent of fluorescent bulbs from homes are recycled, according to Paul Abernathy, the executive director at the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers.
Industry leaders are looking for ways to make recycling more convenient and thus more likely that people will dispose of the bulbs properly.
Abernathy said that there are many pitfalls - namely who should pay for it - to be sorted out.
“We are working with government agencies,” Abernathy said, “so that the consumers can get better access to recycling.”
Retail recycling
Of the retail giants promoting the bulbs, only Ikea has started collecting spent bulbs for recycling. John Gilkeson of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said that others may join in.
He said consumers should hear about “some pilot collection projects in the next year” from national big-box retailers with the thought of “implementing something nationwide a couple of years out.”
Curbside recycling
Local recycling agencies say that including bulbs in curbside recycling is unlikely. Abernathy says, nationally, that plan has few backers.
“There’s no push to include (CFLs) in curbside pickup because they’re fragile and will break - releasing mercury into the environment.”
However, Gilkeson said the city of Minneapolis does include the bulbs in occasional curbside pickups, and has experienced few problems.
Common questions about CFLs
What are CFLs and how do they work?
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) are similar to regular light bulbs, but are more energy-efficient because of how they produce light. A spark initiates a chemical reaction between the gases in the glass tubes. This causes a chemical coating on the tube to light up.
Where can I buy CFLs?
They’re available in most home improvement stores, supermarkets and lighting and hardware stores. CFLs are made by many of the same manufacturers that produce incandescent bulbs. They cost more, but the savings over time more than makes up for the extra initial cost.
Where should I use them?
Replace the incandescent bulbs you leave on the longest or that are in places that make changing bulbs inconvenient. They are most efficient when on for two hours or more.
- Prime locations: Kitchen, living, family and dining rooms.
- Good locations if used a lot: Areas where you frequently turn lights on and off, such as bathrooms, closets and hallways.
- Less-efficient locations: High-ceiling fixtures above 12 feet or in fixtures where a concentrated beam of light is needed.
Since it’s better not to turn CFLs on and off a lot, should I just leave them on all the time?
No. If you’re leaving the room for more than 15 minutes, you should turn off the light.
The light seems to be fading. What does that mean?
CFLs produce less light over time. By the time a bulb burns out, it may only produce 75 percent of the light it did originally. Once the quantity and quality of light no longer seem effective, change the bulb. It’s also a good idea to change all the bulbs in one fixture at the same time so there’s no noticeable difference in brightness and color.
I have an older home. Are there any wiring concerns?
No, and CFLs may work better for you. They draw less electricity and produce less heat, minimizing risk. However, if you’ve had problems, then you should have the wiring checked by a professional before installing any light bulbs.
Do they work in dimming and three-way fixtures?
Yes. Some models are specifically made for each type of fixture. Regular CFLs may not work, so read package descriptions carefully.
Can I use CFLs outside?
Yes, although they may take longer to reach full brightness. Look for ones marked for outdoor use. Enclosed fixtures offer the bulb more protection and keep the space around the bulb warmer. This allows it to light up faster, although the enclosure may block a small amount of light output. If the bulb isn’t enclosed, look for varieties labeled “weatherproof,” which are coated to protect the bulb from rain and other elements. Some bulbs are even designed to help keep bugs away.
Can I use CFLs in recessed fixtures?
Yes. Choose ones labeled “reflector,” but do not use them in totally enclosed recessed fixtures.
Can I use CFLs in the bathroom?
Yes, although high humidity may shorten the bulb lifetime. Run the ventilation fan before and after showering.
What to do if a bulb breaks
U.S. Department of Energy research shows that since the amount of mercury in each bulb is small, there is little risk to you or your family if a bulb breaks and is cleaned up properly.
What to do if a CFL breaks:
- If possible, open windows to ventilate the room.
- Avoid touching any parts of the broken bulb. Sweep - don’t vacuum - any glass fragments. Use tape to pick up the smallest pieces, and wear gloves to avoid cutting yourself.
- Transfer the broken bulb and fragments into a sealed plastic bag.
- Wipe up the areas with a damp paper towel and place the towel and tape in the sealed bag, too.
- Wait at least 15 minutes before vacuuming in that area.
Can compact fluorescent bulbs create interference with electronic equipment?
Not usually, but it can happen. Rarely, the infrared light coming from a CFL can be misinterpreted by a television, wireless phone or other electronic device and cause it to malfunction (the TV might suddenly change channels for example). If this happens, move the bulb away from the device or plug the light fixture or device into another wall outlet.
Can mercury be eliminated from the bulbs altogether?
No. It’s what allows the bulb to be so efficient. Manufacturers have reduced the amount of mercury in the bulbs but have not found a complete replacement. The amount is small when compared to other household items: CFL, 4 mg; older home thermometer, 500 mg; fever thermometer, 700 mg; manual thermostat, 3,000 mg.
What if it burns out right away?
Energy Star CFLs have a two-year warranty. Save your receipt and package materials.
What if I don’t have my receipt?
Contact the manufacturer by finding their name and the bulb model number, usually printed on the base of the bulb.
How are “instant-on” bulbs different than others?
Manufacturers of spiral bulbs are simply saying that the bulb will light up instantly as all Energy Star spiral bulbs should. Other types of CFLs, such as reflectors and globes, have a higher operating temperature because the tubes are enclosed. This requires an additional element that the makes the bulb take up to three minutes to warm-up fully.
How do CFLs compare to incandescent bulbs labeled “long-life”?
CFLs are still a better choice. “Long-life” incandescents last longer than regular bulbs but are even less efficient. However, “extended life” CFLs are a better value than a regular CFL.
How do LEDs compare?
LEDs have no mercury inside and are very energy efficient but are not yet comparable in light quality or cost. For now, LEDs are not cost-effective for general residential use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. However, some potential residential near-term applications include accent lights, desk lights and under-the-cabinet lights. In some cases, LEDs already can be worth the extra cost for outdoor path and step lighting. These situations benefit from an LEDs durability and potential to be powered by solar cells.
Online
www.energystar.gov Try out the CFL calculator to determine your actual savings by switching to CFLs.
www.earth911.org Search for disposal options by ZIP code. Or call (800) 253-2687.
Inside Bay Area: Venice Beach ranked among dirtiest
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 25, 2007
Organization cites high levels of fecal bacteria
By Shaun Bishop
Article Last Updated: 05/25/2007 02:43:33 AM PDT
A San Mateo County beach has the second-most-polluted coastal water in Northern California, according to a report card released Wednesday by a conservationist group.
The annual report from Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay, presented at a small press conference on a sunny day at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, gave 94 percent of Northern California beaches “A” or “B” grades for levels of fecal bacteria present in the surf.
But Venice Beach at Frenchman’s Creek, located about a mile north of Highway 92 in Half Moon Bay, clocked in at No. 8 on the group’s annual “Beach Bummers” list, the top 10 worst-polluted beaches in the state.
It earned an “F” grade, in contrast to the 19 other monitoring sites along the Peninsula coast that earned either an “A” or “A+”. The only other local beach that made the worst-10 list was Campbell Cove State Park Beach in Sonoma County, which came in at No.7.
Heal the Bay compiles data from local regulatory agencies for more than 500 beaches statewide and converts them into an easy-to-identify letter grade for its annual report. Poor marks means swimmers have a higher risk of becoming sick with stomach flu-like symptoms, ear infections or skin rashes.
A major reason for the fecal bacteria contamination at Venice Beach is that the relatively small area has become host to as many as 10,000 birds, said Carol Ann Towe, a volunteer with the Surfrider Foundation. She said the birds are attracted by food at a nearby landfill and that her group of volunteers hopes to work with county officials to limit access to the feeding source.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve at San Vicente Creek historically has been another problem spot for water contamination in San Mateo County, but years of cleanup dating to 1999 have dramatically reduced the levels of fecal contamination there, Towe said. It earned an “A” grade during the dry season this year.
The biggest overall “bummer,” according to the report card, was Los Angeles County, whose beaches comprised seven of the 10 worst beaches.
Wet weather tends to bring the most contamination, as run-off from agriculture or homes brings bacteria to the ocean, said James Alamillo, urban programs manager for Heal the Bay. In general, Alamillo said, people should not swim in the ocean during a rainstorm or in the first three days after it rains.
David Lewis, executive director of Save the Bay, an Oakland-based conservation nonprofit, said his group has pushed for increased monitoring of waterfront sites inside San Francisco Bay, though he said San Mateo County is getting better in tracking its bayside sites.
“They’re probably safe most of the time,” Lewis said of the area’s beaches. But he encouraged beachgoers to visit the county’s environmental site, http://www.earth911.org, to check on water quality before packing the beach towels and Frisbee.
View the full report card online at http://www.healthebay.org.
E-mail Shaun Bishop at sbishop@dailynewsgroup.com.
Philly Future: The dark side of energy-efficient light bulbs article from Plain Dealer Reporter Michael Scott and Artist Activist Ray Tapajna
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 15, 2007
by tapsearcher on May 15, 2007 - 11:26am
THE DARK SIDE OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS - Mercury in CFLs raises concerns
Michael Scott
mscott@plaind.com
Plain Dealer Reporter
The bright, white light cast from increasingly popular fluorescent bulbs also throws a surprisingly dim environmental shadow.
So today, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency officials will meet with local solid waste district leaders to push their plan to keep flourescent bulbs out of landfills.
Their concern: up to 40 milligrams of toxic mercury found in each of tens of thousands of flourescent tubes thrown away by Ohio business and industry. Mercury, the catalyst that makes the bulbs glow, is also a neurtoxin linked to brain, liver and kidney damage.
But the environmental apprehension doesn’t end there: There’s also some mercury in the newer, smaller compact flourescent lights.
CFLs - those usually swirly topped, screwed-in bulbs that sell for as much as $14 but promise a lifespan of four years or more- are a hot environmental commodity.
They’re promoted by environmental groups as a way to reduce pollution and by retail giants like Wal-Mart, which has said it hopes to sell 100 million CFLs this year.
In fact, the highly efficient flourescents remain highly recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency over electricity-drainging incandescents.
But mercury concerns are rising.
Although an individual CFL may contain as little as 4 milligrams of mercury - one tenth of the amount in the commercial lenght tubes - there are a lot of them out there.
Compact flourescents were introduced to the United States in 1898 up about 7 percent of the market with millions a year coming from China alone.
That bugs Cleveland artist and activist Ray Tapajna.
” Once I found out about the mercury and that 90 percent are made in China - and who knows what kind of pollution controls are in place over there? - I opposed them,” Tapajna said.
State and county officials said millions of the mercury bulbs someday landing in landfills would pose a serious problem but the collection and recycling efforts are coming along.
“It’s on everybody’s radar screen,” said Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Director Pat Holland. “Even though righ now, we’re worrying more about six-footers from businesses than smaller bulbs from individuals.
EPA officials today will encourage waste-disrict leaders to provide better ways for flourescent users to recycle.
“Right now we’re trying to get trade associations to be aware of the hazards,” said Helen Miller of the EPA’s Division of Solid Waste. “The volume used by households is not there yet, but it could be someday.”
For now, Holland said, a homeowner who tosses a CFL in the trash doesn’t even face a fine.
At the same time, consumers are warned not to breathe the dust from broken flourescent because of the mercury.
The EPA recommends cleaning up a broken CFL with a broom or wet cloth - not a cacuum - and placing the broken bulb in a plastic bag before disposing it.
Officials at TCP Inc, an Aurora company that expects to be churning out 1 million CFLs a day sometime this year, recommends Internet sites earth911.org or lamprecycle.org to locate the nearest recycling center. Consumers can call 1-800-CLEAN-UP.
Holland said the Cuyahoga district will accept the CFLs at May 12 collection and other Northeast Ohio counties also ave at least one collection day each year.
Lorain County Solid Waste Disrict Director Dan Billman said residents fill a semitrailer truck with flourescens every few months. The district has collected 87,000 bulbs since March 2005.
“We’re probably the most agressive county in the state, and I think we’ve shown that there are a lot of flourescents out there,” said Billman.
The rise of CFL - and the environmental concerns - have gone unnoticed by other bulb manufacturers.
Royal Phillips Electronics earlier this year rolled out a new CFLs with an industry-low mercury content below 2 mg. General Electric, meanwhile, has said that by 2010 it will offer incandescent bulbs twice as efficient as those sold today and for times as efficient by 2012.
Even with concerns that CFLs are mostly manufactured overseas, theat they sometimes don’t meet longevity claims, that many won’t work with a dimmer switch and that some still emit a cool, bluish light, the bulbs still are promoted heavily by environmental groups.
“We’re very gung-ho for CFLs,” said Jack Shaner of the Ohio Environmental Council. “We want people to keep on buying them and using themand learn about safe disposal practices.”
Saner and others arque that CFLs prevent more mercury from being released into the air by power plants because they are more efficient.
A power plant emits about 10 mg of mercury to produce the electricity needed to run an incandescent bulb, compared with only 2.4 of mercury to run a CFL for the same amount of time.
(The article also has a comparison chart noting the differences in the CFLs and Incandescent Bulbs for those who want to know more. Ray Tapajna who is quoted in the article had a response to this article in the Plain Dealer, May 13, 2007. - this response was added later at this site. The IUE-CWA Union had a page ad in the Plain Dealer about the economic impact of the CFLs being made in China titled Green Technology shouln’t mean a Pink Slip for American Workers May 10, 2007. )
Santa Monica DailyPress: Finding a Pet Just Went High-Tech
Filed under: Pets 911 - May 15, 2007
By Melody Hanatani
There’s more to watch on video Web sites like YouTube than footage of a hair-pulling catfight between two girls or a drunken David Hasselhoff eating his hamburger off the floor.
Animal shelters and pet adoption agencies across the country are tapping into the popularity of self-made online videos
made accessible through sites like YouTube and iFilm.
Adoption sites like Pets911.com have added a video feature to supplement pet profiles created by animal shelters, giving the
potential pet owner a glimpse of the dog or cat before they take a trip down to the pound.
“They say a picture is worth a thousand words … a video would have to be worth at least a million,” said Tracyann
Mains, program director for Pets911.
K9 Connection, an OPCC-run pilot program that brings at-risk teens together with pets from the Santa Monica Animal Shelter, has taken advantage of the YouTube craze, having produced several videos on some of the animals that were harder to adopt out.
“The impact of the video goes beyond just getting the dog adopted,” said Glen Zipper, project director for K9 Connection “It raises awareness for the organization.”
Zipper creates the videos for animals that have not received enough attention after staying at the shelter for more than a month.
The videos have been successful for some dogs, while others seem to be having a harder time getting out.
After being featured on CityTV and having a video on YouTube, Pinky the white pit bull was finally adopted last week after a stay in the Santa Monica Animal Shelter that lasted several months. Last month, the dog was sent to Zen4K9S under the care of dog psychologist Linn Boyke—who was trained by Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan—and Boyke fell in love with the pink-nosed dog, adopting it officially last week.
Pinky’s video had received about 600 hits.
Meanwhile, Karma was found lying on the 10 Freeway and spent almost a year at the Santa Monica Animal Shelter before
she was taken into a foster home. The dog did not adapt well to the environment and is now also hanging out with Boyke.
Karma’s video on YouTube is approaching 4,000 hits. It shows the 2-year-old dog—who, according to K9 Connection, is “not a big fan of cats”—lounging around outside, his tongue happily hanging out of its mouth.
Showing a dog playing with someone and staring right into the camera says more than a picture, and might be just
enough to motivate a potential dog owner to come down and meet the dog, Zipper said.
A Virtual Bond
The appeal of posting the video on YouTube is it not only gets hits from viewers who find the link through the K9
Connection Web site, but from pet lovers just browsing the popular site.
“We’re seeing more and more users share content, not just for entertainment value, but also for other practical means like pet adoption,” a YouTube spokesperson said on Monday. “Video is a very compelling and effective way to deliver a message.”
Pets911 launched its video feature on Friday and about 30 pet profiles now contain video attachments. The site works with up to 10,000 shelters across the country.
The videos highlight a would-be pet’s personality, allowing potential owners to forge an emotional bond with the pet over the Internet before they go in live to see the dog or the cat.
“These little guys and girls can’t speak for themselves.” Mains said. “We hope by giving them motion and letting people see them, their little personalities and how they interact with people would really paint a vivid picture with how they can fit in with other people’s lives.”
Still, there are detractors, like Melya Kaplan, executive director of Voice for the Animals, a Santa Monica-based pet
adoption agency. Kaplan hasn’t bought into the idea of capturing an animal’s personality through a video or picture.
Animals respond differently to different environments and people, Kaplan said.
Salt Lake Tribune: Compact fluorescents save energy, but disposal is tricky
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 14, 2007
Michael Hawthorne Chicago Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Last Updated: 05/14/2007 06:44:26 AM MDT
CHICAGO - After years of not quite catching on, the compact fluorescent light bulb may be ready to shine.
Major retailers, Internet giants and Hollywood stars are spreading their environmentally friendly message. California and at least three other states are seeking to ban the old-fashioned incandescent bulb, and Australia, Ontario and the European Union already are moving to phase them out.
The argument for compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, is simple: Changing a bulb can save a little money, put a dent in the demand for electricity and contribute in a small way to the fight against global warming.
But daunting questions remain about how ready the United States is for a CFL revolution.
Despite the environmental advantages, retailers and government officials haven’t figured out an effective way to collect used fluorescents, though Chicago and some other cities will take the bulbs as household hazardous waste. Each compact fluorescent contains small amounts of mercury, a toxic metal that can damage the nervous system, heightening concerns about proper disposal.
More broadly, it remains unclear whether Americans and legislators can be persuaded to abandon Thomas Edison’s incandescent bulb and switch to squiggly compact fluorescent lamps. Retailers attribute their still-dismal sales to memories of the high prices, harsh light and annoying hum of earlier versions, problems manufacturers say are mostly fixed.
To change consumer attitudes, an unusual alliance of business leaders, government officials and environmental groups is pushing the message that today’s compact fluorescents boast far more advantages than drawbacks.
Chief among the benefits is that CFLs use 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs. The EPA estimates that if every household in the U.S. swapped one incandescent for a compact fluorescent, it would save enough energy to light 3 million homes each year.
The energy savings result from the way the bulbs generate light. In a traditional incandescent bulb, electricity heats a tungsten filament inside a glass globe. Most of the energy is lost to heat instead of light.
In a compact fluorescent, light is produced when mercury vapor conducts electrical current to a luminescent coating that lines a glass tube. A 13-watt compact fluorescent is equal to a 60-watt incandescent, generating the same amount of light with less power.
Early fluorescents had a bluish hue, took a second or two to light up and often wouldn’t fit into regular light fixtures. Manufacturers have since tinkered with the mechanics to match the yellowish warmth of incandescent bulbs, mostly by adjusting the mix of compounds in the light-producing coatings.
Prices have come down, and though fluorescents still cost more than incandescents, most pay for themselves within six months through lower electric bills. Consumers can save $30 over the life of each 13-watt compact fluorescent, according to the EPA.
“Not all CFLs are created equal, but we’ve come closer to narrowing the difference with incandescents,” said Chuck Bentivegna, a lighting technology manager at General Electric.
The newer compact fluorescents won over the editors of Popular Mechanics. In its May issue, the magazine concludes that the new bulbs “aren’t just better for both your wallet and the environment - they produce better light” than before.
More intense efforts to promote the bulbs began around the time a United Nations panel of climate scientists concluded that people “very likely” are responsible for rising levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases that are linked to global warming.
Coal-fired power plants, which generate about half of the nation’s electricity, are one of the biggest sources of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. Many experts say that if action isn’t taken soon to reduce greenhouse gases, or at least slow their growth, the result could be rapidly shifting weather, coastal flooding, prolonged droughts and heat waves.
Backers of compact fluorescents say switching bulbs is a simple way for people to get involved. Adding one CFL to every U.S. household would keep 9 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere - the same effect as taking 800,000 cars off the road, according to the EPA.
“Consumers have the power to make an impact and every step can have a big difference,” Mayor Richard Daley said in announcing the city would hand out 500,000 bulbs this year. Distributed through aldermanic offices and some city buildings, each bulb is accompanied by a note from Daley touting the environmental benefits.
Efforts are under way to promote the bulbs on Google and Yahoo Web sites and through public service announcements featuring Hollywood actors and famous athletes. Yahoo and Nielsen also have created a Web site, 18seconds.org, that tracks sales by city and state.
Once relegated to the bottom of store shelves or the pages of eco-friendly catalogs, compact fluorescents also are getting a big boost from America’s largest company. Wal-Mart is vowing to sell 100 million a year, an ambitious goal considering the bulbs now account for just 6 percent of the market. Another big retailer, Home Depot, vowed to give away 1 million of the bulbs on Earth Day.
As the momentum builds, however, questions remain about how best to collect burned-out bulbs for recycling.
The amount of mercury in an average compact fluorescent is so small it would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen.
The EPA says breaking a bulb doesn’t pose a risk in the home, but the agency suggests that if it happens people should sweep up the shards of glass and ventilate the room. The greater concern lies in the idea of millions of bulbs breaking in the trash and releasing poisonous vapor.
“Homeowners are being encouraged by practically everybody to buy these things,” said Paul Abernathy, executive director of the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers. “It’s disingenuous to sell CFLs for profit but fail to do anything to help safely dispose of them.”
Federal officials encourage people to type their ZIP code into the earth911.org Web site to find dropoff locations.
Advocacy groups, though, say the government and retailers aren’t doing enough to make it easy for consumers to safely dispose of CFLs.
So far IKEA is the only large retailer with a take-back program. Wal-Mart has resisted the idea, but last week the company announced it had brokered a deal with manufacturers to reduce the amount of mercury in the CFLs it sells.
The EPA and other proponents of compact fluorescents note that the bulbs can reduce mercury emissions in other ways. A coal-fired power plant releases two-thirds less mercury pollution in lighting a compact fluorescent than an incandescent.
“Like many things, a compact fluorescent isn’t perfect,” said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. “But they’re far better than the alternative. They’re a good deal for your pocketbook and a good deal for the environment.”
Chicago Tribune: Ready to see the light?
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 13, 2007
Though compact fluorescent bulbs last longer and save energy, there is a catch: disposing of them may prove tricky.
By Michael Hawthorne
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 13, 2007
After years of not quite catching on, the compact fluorescent light bulb may be ready to shine.
Major retailers, Internet giants and Hollywood stars are spreading their environmentally friendly message. California and at least three other states are seeking to ban the old-fashioned incandescent bulb, and Australia, Ontario and the European Union already are moving to phase them out.
The argument for compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, is simple: Changing a bulb can save a little money, put a dent in the demand for electricity and contribute in a small way to the fight against global warming.
But daunting questions remain about how ready the United States is for a CFL revolution.
Despite the environmental advantages, retailers and government officials haven’t figured out an effective way to collect used fluorescents, though Chicago and some other cities will take the bulbs as household hazardous waste. Each compact fluorescent contains small amounts of mercury, a toxic metal that can damage the nervous system, heightening concerns about proper disposal.
More broadly, it remains unclear whether Americans and legislators can be persuaded to abandon Thomas Edison’s incandescent bulb and switch to squiggly compact fluorescent lamps. Retailers attribute their still-dismal sales to memories of the high prices, harsh light and annoying hum of earlier versions, problems manufacturers say are mostly fixed.
Unlikely allies
To change consumer attitudes, an unusual alliance of business leaders, government officials and environmental groups is pushing the message that today’s compact fluorescents boast far more advantages than drawbacks.
Chief among the benefits is that CFLs use 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs. The EPA estimates that if every household in the U.S. swapped one incandescent for a compact fluorescent, it would save enough energy to light 3 million homes each year.
The energy savings result from the way the bulbs generate light. In a traditional incandescent bulb, electricity heats a tungsten filament inside a glass globe. Most of the energy is lost to heat instead of light.
In a compact fluorescent, light is produced when mercury vapor conducts electrical current to a luminescent coating that lines a glass tube. A 13-watt compact fluorescent is equal to a 60-watt incandescent, generating the same amount of light with less power.
Early fluorescents had a bluish hue, took a second or two to light up and often wouldn’t fit into regular light fixtures. Manufacturers have since tinkered with the mechanics to match the yellowish warmth of incandescent bulbs, mostly by adjusting the mix of compounds in the light-producing coatings.
Prices have come down, and though fluorescents still cost more than incandescents, most pay for themselves within six months through lower electric bills. Consumers can save $30 over the life of each 13-watt compact fluorescent, according to the EPA.
“Not all CFLs are created equal, but we’ve come closer to narrowing the difference with incandescents,” said Chuck Bentivegna, a lighting technology manager at General Electric.
The newer compact fluorescents won over the editors of Popular Mechanics. In its May issue, the magazine concludes that the new bulbs “aren’t just better for both your wallet and the environment—they produce better light” than before.
More intense efforts to promote the bulbs began around the time a United Nations panel of climate scientists concluded that people “very likely” are responsible for rising levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases that are linked to global warming.
Coal-fired power plants, which generate about half of the nation’s electricity, are one of the biggest sources of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. Many experts say that if action isn’t taken soon to reduce greenhouse gases, or at least slow their growth, the result could be rapidly shifting weather, coastal flooding, prolonged droughts and heat waves.
Backers of compact fluorescents say switching bulbs is a simple way for people to get involved. Adding one CFL to every U.S. household would keep 9 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere—the same effect as taking 800,000 cars off the road, according to the EPA.
“Consumers have the power to make an impact and every step can have a big difference,” Mayor Richard Daley said in announcing the city would hand out 500,000 bulbs this year. Distributed through aldermanic offices and some city buildings, each bulb is accompanied by a note from Daley touting the environmental benefits.
Turning to Internet
Elsewhere, efforts are under way to promote the bulbs on Google and Yahoo Web sites and through public service announcements featuring Hollywood actors and famous athletes. Yahoo and Nielsen also have created a Web site, 18seconds.org, that tracks sales by city and state.
Once relegated to the bottom of store shelves or the pages of eco-friendly catalogs, compact fluorescents also are getting a big boost from America’s largest company. Wal-Mart is vowing to sell 100 million a year, an ambitious goal considering the bulbs now account for just 6 percent of the market. Another big retailer, Home Depot, vowed to give away 1 million of the bulbs on Earth Day.
As the momentum builds, however, questions remain about how best to collect burned-out bulbs for recycling.
The amount of mercury in an average compact fluorescent is so small it would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen.
The EPA says breaking a bulb doesn’t pose a risk in the home, but the agency suggests that if it happens people should sweep up the shards of glass and ventilate the room.
The greater concern lies in the idea of millions of bulbs breaking in the trash and releasing poisonous vapor.
“Homeowners are being encouraged by practically everybody to buy these things,” said Paul Abernathy, executive director of the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers. “It’s disingenuous to sell CFLs for profit but fail to do anything to help safely dispose of them.”
The city of Chicago accepts spent fluorescent and incandescent bulbs at its Household Hazardous Waste Center, 1120 North Branch St., then sells them to recyclers. (Officials generally advise people to wait until their incandescent bulbs burn out before switching to compact fluorescents.)
Federal officials encourage people to type their ZIP code into the earth911.org Web site to find other dropoff locations.
Advocacy groups, though, say the government and retailers aren’t doing enough to make it easy for consumers to safely dispose of CFLs.
So far IKEA is the only large retailer with a take-back program. Wal-Mart has resisted the idea, but on Thursday the company announced it had brokered a deal with manufacturers to reduce the amount of mercury in the CFLs it sells.
The EPA and other proponents of compact fluorescents note that the bulbs can reduce mercury emissions in other ways. A coal-fired power plant releases two-thirds less mercury pollution in lighting a compact fluorescent than an incandescent.
“Like many things, a compact fluorescent isn’t perfect,” said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. “But they’re far better than the alternative. They’re a good deal for your pocketbook and a good deal for the environment.”
mhawthorne@tribune.com
Detroit News: New fluorescent bulbs pose a slight mercury danger
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 12, 2007
Glenn Haege: The handyman
Detroit News
Saturday, May 12, 2007
The CFL (compact fluorescent light) is a squiggly-looking light bulb that can supposedly save us money long term while helping to save the planet by lowering energy use.
Drop a couple of CFLs in your shopping basket you will be doing your part to help save the environment and you might even save a little money.
But wait, according to newspapaer and broadcast reports, an Ellsworth, Maine, resident dropped just one CFL and is now on the hook for $2,004.28 in environmental remediation costs, and who knows what damage she may have already caused her family’s health.
At last report, the room in which Brandy Bridges dropped the CFL light bulb was sealed off, and Bridges was trying to come up with the money needed to bring in the boys in moon suits to clean up the mess.
The reason for all the concern is that every fluorescent light contains mercury. The average 75-watt-equivalent CFL contains between 4 and 6 milligrams of mercury. By way of comparison, one of those old, round thermostats many of us have on our walls contain 3,000 milligrams of mercury. A mercury thermometer contains 500 milligrams. So a thermometer is at least 100 times more dangerous than a CFL, and an old mercury thermostat is about 600 times more dangerous.
I burn a lot of light bulbs in my house, and I want to be environmentally responsible. At the same time, I do not want to commit suicide with a light bulb; neither does my wife.
Safety levels are confusing. According to the Northeast Waste Management Association (617) 367-8558, www.newmoa.org, the federal government’s Mercury Vapor Inhalation Exposure Standard is 100 micrograms per cubic meter. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Toxic Substances and Disease Registry minimum risk level is 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter. Their remediation action level is 1 microgram. You didn’t read wrong. According to the Federal Government, you have to worry if the mercury exposure level is somewhere between 1 and 100 micrograms per cubic meter.
I wouldn’t want my home to be any less safe than the government demands of my work place.
If you were to break a new 75-watt-equivalent CFL in your child’s 10-foot by 12-foot bedroom (8-feet high ceiling), and the mercury dust and vapor became equally dispersed in the air, you would have a potential exposure of 184 micrograms per cubic meter, almost double the OSHA standard and 184 times the federal remediation threshold.
Since using light bulbs and breaking light bulbs go hand in hand, that sounds pretty scary. Don’t panic. The Environmental Protection Agency, ( www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/) has instructions on exactly how to do the clean-up. I illustrate their step-by-step directions in this week’s You Can Do It article on Page 13H .
Even if you do not break a CFL, it will eventually burn out, and you will throw it away. In Michigan, a fluorescent lights are classified as hazardous household trash. It is perfectly legal for the homeowner to put them in the trash, but better to take them to a hazardous household waste site. To find if there is a site near you call (877) EARTH 911, or enter your ZIP code in the Earth 911 Web site, http://michigan.earth911.org/.
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Household items containing mercury
Fluorescent lighting and neon bulbs
Thermometers
Nonelectric thermostats
Clothes irons, automatic or tilt shut-offs
Paint manufactured before 1990 and some oil-base paints
Thimerosal or merbromin, in some antibacterial products
Mercury facts
According to the DNR, 1 gram of mercury deposited per year can contaminate a 20-acre lake. One fever thermometer holds ½ gram of mercury. A home thermostat contains about 3 grams of mercury.
Mercury poisoning
Long-term exposure is generally more dangerous than a one-time short exposure.
Mercury is a neurotoxin that attacks the nervous system.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning include chills, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, headache, cough and weakness.
Sources: www.calpoison.org, www.in.gov, www.waukeshacounty.gov
The Virginian-Pilot: Web site started by local man to recover lost pets goes national
Filed under: Pets 911 - May 11, 2007
By JANIE BRYANT, The Virginian-Pilot
May 11, 2007
PORTSMOUTH - Jimmy Frost doesn’t know how many pets have been reunited with their owners since he helped launch a lost-and-found Web site for Hampton Roads residents more than a year ago.
But when Frost volunteered to help the Portsmouth Humane Society with the project, he decided it would be a success if only one lost pet were recovered.
Frost has heard of at least half a dozen happy endings due to www.hrlostpets.org.
Now the volunteer Webmaster, a Virginia Beach truck driver who has created Web sites for animal rescues and shelters all over the country, is helping the humane society take the online service to a new level.
The Hampton Roads Web site recently linked to the national Pets911.com. The union means a more comprehensive database system for lost and rescued pets.
“We wanted to give it a little more horse power,” he said.
Once posted, pets will be kept on the database for at least three months. They will be searchable by traits such as color and breed. Owners will be able to post a photograph of their missing pet with other useful details.
Michael Monroe, director for operations for the Portsmouth Humane Society, said the site is helpful to shelter workers, too. Last year, more than 3,000 animals were brought to the shelter, he said.
The linking of the sites will also bring a pilot “pet alert” program to the region, said Frost. The alert will notify owners by e-mail or text message when an animal matching the description of their lost loved one is found, he said.
“This is not going to take the place of good detective work for a pet owner trying to find their animal,” said Frost.
“But we’re trying to give every alternative and every option that technology can afford us.”
For more information, call Frost at (757) 343-6247.
Reach Janie Bryant at (757) 446-2453 or janie.bryant@pilotonline.com.
YouTube Not Just for People - Anymore
Filed under: Pets 911 - May 8, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2007
YouTube Not Just for People - Anymore. National web site Pets 911 Harnessing YouTube Craze to Find Homes for Lost and Abandoned Pets
U.S. – Local animal shelters across the country are taking advantage of the latest internet trend by posting video of pets available for adoption on Pets911.com. Pets 911 has updated its site to allow any shelter or rescue that has a pet available for adoption to include video of that pet using YouTube technology on Pets911.com.
“This new option of advertising available pets will be an indispensable resource for animal shelters and for individuals in search of a pet to adopt,” says Dr. Rodrigo Silva, Executive Director Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, in Phoenix, AZ. “If a picture is worth a thousand words, video is worth a million when it comes to showing the true character of a dog or cat up for adoption.”
Pets 911 is a national organization designed to provide local pet-related resources and information to its users. Individuals and animal rescues, shelters, and animal control agencies around the country feed regular updates into the Pets 911 database. These updates allow the site to include current listings of pets available for adoption, contact information for veterinarians, and lost and found pet information. Pets 911 is easily accessible through both a toll-free phone number (1-888-PETS-911) and website, www.Pets911.com.
“There are so many needy pets out there,” commented Tracyann Mains, Program Director for Pets 911. “We are excited to be taking advantage of this new model for communicating with the public about pets who are lost or looking for a home.”
Shelters and rescues hoping to find homes for their animals can build a pet profile on the Pets 911 web site that includes the option for video upload for no charge.
The profile can be easily found by potential adopters or pet owners searching for their lost animal according to US zip code. YouTube allows people to easily upload and share video clips across the Internet for no cost. There is no formal agreement between YouTube and Pets 911.
Pets 911 believes that the video which brings animals to life online will also help to save their lives. For more information visit Pets911.com. To see how YouTube technology is being used on Pets 911 please visit http://www.pets911.com/services/adoption/animal_details.php?uniqueID=1213848
About Pets 911
The mission of Pets911.com is to provide a public service that will one day create an America where all pets are valued companions that have lifelong, loving homes.
In addition to its real-time lost and found pet network, Pets911.com (and companion toll-free bilingual telephone hotline 1-888-PETS-911) allows pet owners and pet seekers to access community-specific pet-related information, including local animals available for adoption, a national lost and found pet database, spay/neuter facilities, licensing information, emergency & non-emergency veterinary offices, and tips on pet behavior, health, and grooming.
Individuals and organizations around the country feed regular updates into the Pets911 database, keeping listings of pets available for adoption, contact information for veterinarians, and lost and found pet information current. For more information, go to Pets911.com.
CONTACT: Severn Williams - Pets 911
510-336-9566 C 415-336-9623
Post Star: Prevention can start at home
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 8, 2007
By ERIN DEMUTH
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 1:48 AM EDT
Predictions that a build-up of greenhouse gases could cause oceans to swallow up coastlines and hundreds of species to become extinct can leave people feeling worried and helpless, especially when the reasons for such catastrophe relate to necessities of life, like cars and electricity.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
People really aren’t as powerless as they might think when it comes to doing something about global warming.
“It’s important people feel there are things they can do,” said Sally Strasser of Glens Falls.
“When one person feels there’s something they can do, the multiplier effect kicks in, and more and more people will feel empowered.”
For Strasser, feeling empowered meant getting involved with other people who wanted to address the pressing issue of worldwide climate change.
Getting involved
Since September, Strasser and the Social Action Committee at the Glens Falls Unitarian-Universalist Church have been hosting a series of public lectures on global warming.
Each lecture is followed by a pot luck dinner, for which everyone in attendance is invited to stay.
Both the lecture and the meal following it are designed to be both informative and empowering.
“We don’t want people to go away feeling depressed; we want them to go away feeling optimistic and energized,” Strasser said, adding that nothing is impossible.
To illustrate her point, Strasser mentioned John F. Kennedy — a president who had what many Americans considered an unlikely vision of men on the moon.
“He died, but a few years later, we were there,” Strasser said.
“I’m convinced change is possible; it’s just a matter of will. I’ve decided to do what I can do locally.”
For Strasser, reaching that goal also means doing a few other relatively simply things to address global warming.
Such things as adding window treatments, installing hot water heater timers and buying special lights can save energy and thereby reduce greenhouse gasses, she said.
Fluorescent lights
“At any time, an incandescent light can be converted into a fluorescent light,” said Scott Schwartz of Hill Electric Supply Co. in Glens Falls. “A typical incandescent bulb has a life of 1,000 hours or less, whereas a compact fluorescent lasts for 12,000 hours. You’re going to save money and energy.”
To illustrate such savings by the average household, Schwartz provided the an example using a standard 60-watt incandescent bulb and a 14-watt compact fluorescent bulb that provides the same amount of light.
Despite the savings, some are skeptical of fluorescent lights because they contain hazardous materials, like mercury.
According to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, compact fluorescent lights contain about 5 milligrams of mercury — an amount that’s about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen.
For that reason, Energy Star maintains the lights are safe for home use.
“Because there is such a small amount of mercury in compact fluorescent lights, your greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut from the glass shards,” states an Energy Star Web site.
If a bulb does break, however, Energy Star recommends sweeping up the glass and fine particles, wiping the area with a wet rag, and then sealing the glass and rag in a plastic bag.
Energy Star’s site also says such bulbs should not be thrown out with the household trash if better options exists.
To find out if fluorescent lights are disposed of through special programs locally, the site recommends visiting www.earth911.org, or calling (877) EARTH911.
Green power
Green power generated from renewable energy sources like wind turbines, solar arrays and hydropower, is available through many of the state’s utility companies.
“New York has a great, diverse basket of energy supplies,” said Ray Hull, spokesman for New York State Energy Research & Development Authority. “It’s important not to jump to the conclusion that every time you flip a switch, you’re contributing to air pollution.”
And choosing green power isn’t as hard as it might seem.
For National Grid customers in the Adirondacks and surrounding counties, the company offers the opportunity to enroll in its GreenUp program to purchase renewable energy. For information on that program, visit www.nationalgridus.com/niagaramohawk/ and click on the energy choice link.
Interested individuals can also call (866) GRN-POWR for more information on New York’s renewable energy efforts.
“New York state already has about half its power coming from renewable sources,” Hull said.
According to 2002 data on NYSERDA’s Energy Smart Web site, 29 percent of electricity generated in the Empire State is from nuclear power, while
18 percent is from hydropower.
Another 27 percent is from natural gas; 17 percent is from coal, and 7 percent is from oil.
Other ways
The Union of Concerned Scientists provides a list of things the average person can do to address climate change on its Web site.
It contains information about energy efficient cars, home energy audits, wood and trees. It also encourages people to let their elected officials know if they’re concerned about global warming.
The site can be found at www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions.
Household Home A Home B
Number of Fixtures 14 14
Type of Bulb Incandescent Fluorescent
Watts/Fixture 60 14
Total kW 0.84 0.20
Cost per bulb $0.40 $1.83
Total bulb cost $5.60 $25.62
Hours on/day 4 4
Annual Hours On 1,460 1,460
Annual kWh used 1,226 286
Cost/kWh $0.13 $0.13
Annual Energy Cost $159.43 $37.20
Monthly Energy Savings ——— $10.19
Annual Energy Savings ——— $122.23
Sun-Sentinel: Random acts of environmentalism
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 5, 2007
Steve Svekis
Random acts of environmentalism
Published May 5, 2007
I love me some corn. Popped at the movies … steamed on the cob … placed on the front door at Thanksgiving time … baked in an arepa or a muffin … just for starters. Just last week, the maize-ing vegetable showed its versatility again. This time, as a bottle containing my tangerine juice.
And this was no kitschy, yellow container from an Iowa visitors bureau packet. It was a clear container, no different in look, feel or smell from a traditional, translucent plastic bottle — made from 100 percent natural, biodegradable corn resin.
This bottle, properly composted, would return back to nature within 100 days, whereas a nonrecycled plastic bottle can hang around for thousands of years (yet another reason to avoid purchasing those items overly packaged in nearly impregnable plastic).
I happened to make the purchase, quite coincidentally, on April 22, Earth Day.
This comes a few months after I replaced my washer and dryer with high-efficiency units that use about a third of the water and less electricity.
Yes, my efforts still fall squarely into the category of random, tiny acts of environmentalism. But, increasingly, I am thinking about how I can use my dollars in ways that promote conservation and environmental protection. It reminds me of my evolution of thought regarding seat belts from when I was a kid.
Here’s a handful of other actions, all simple, that can make life a little more environmentally friendly (and cheaper, too).
1. Swapping out incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent lighting (CFL): Don’t be put off by the price of the bulbs, which can range up to 10 times what a compatible incandescent costs.
The front-end cost is more than made up for through the 10,000-hour life of the bulb (an incandescent typically lasts 1,500 hours), which expends about a quarter of the electricity of its conventional brethren.
Also to be noted, CFLs contain small amounts of mercury and thus must be properly recycled. For recycling information, check www.earth911.org (under Mercury Information) or contact the state’s bureau of solid and hazardous waste at 850-245-8707.
2. Hybrid automobiles: Our station’s regular unleaded gas was back at $3 a gallon Wednesday.
The family’s two cars average 18 miles a gallon in mixed, real-world driving.
The Toyota Prius, which runs on gas and electricity (no, you do not need to plug in the battery at home to keep it charged), gets about 50.
At $3 a gallon, my annual gas expenditure would be about $5,300. At the Prius mileage rate, that expenditure plummets to approximately $1,900 annually.
Most major car manufacturers have produced a hybrid model or have one in the works.
For more information on hybrids, check out www.auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm.
3. Water saving: If you have a toilet that was manufactured before 1994, it likely uses between 3.5 and 5 gallons per flush.
Low-flow toilets produced since then cut that water usage to 1.6 gallons per flush. If a toilet gets flushed six times a day by a family of four, water savings could pile up to almost 7,500 gallons a year.
In addition to lightening the commode load, you can save water — and money — by fixing leaks and making sure all faucets fully shut off when not in use. A one-drip-per-second leak wastes more than 400 gallons a year. Low-flow showerheads and aerators for faucets can also provide significant reductions in water usage.
4. Stop electricity leakage: Even when your appliances are turned off, electricity leaks into the units (one to three watts). To cut these “phantom loads” off, either unplug your appliances when they aren’t in use, or plug them to a power strip with an on/off switch.
Also, FPL offers a “Residential On Call” program, where a customer authorizes the shutdown of major household units (central air conditioner, heater, water heater and pool pump) for a period of time during peak energy-usage hours (in the middle of the day).
Doing so can save you more than $10 a month. (if you have all those units on the extended plan) without an inconvenience. Call 800-232-2050 for more information.
5. Keeping the AC indoors: Seal window and door cracks from which air-conditioning may be escaping. With a stick of incense at the ready, check out the frames of your doors and windows. If the incense smoke pulls horizontally through a crack (instead of puffing upward as usual), you have found a spot that needs to be closed up.
That’s just a handful of ideas to keep in mind if you are thinking more “green” than ever. Nothing Earth-shaking on an individual basis, but it’s something.
For a deeper look into environmentally conscious maneuvers, check out www.epa.gov/oaintrnt/index.html.
And if you have an energy-saving or environment-friendly technique to share, I’d like to hear from you.
Steve Svekis can be reached at heresthedeal@sun-sentinel.com, 954-356-4412 or 561-243-6600, ext. 4412.
Green Tip: Recycling Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Filed under: Earth 911, Press Releases - May 5, 2007
Los Angeles, CA – Public education and media campaigns have urged consumers to replace their incandescent light bulbs with the more energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs. Because CFLs are up to four times as energy efficient as the traditional incandescent bulb, switching to CFLs can both save the individual consumer money and reduce the amount of energy it takes to light a home. But there is one potential environmental downside to the increased use of CFLs, which is that these energy-efficient bulbs contain small amounts of mercury.
Recycling is the only proper means of managing mercury waste, which in most cases requires the consumer to be educated about how and where to dispose of potentially hazardous materials. Earth 911, through its Web site Earth911.org, provides easy access to local recycling information for CFLs and numerous other potentially hazardous household waste for communities throughout the country.
“The dramatic effort to increase use of CFLs may pay off considerably in terms of reduced energy consumption,” said Mark Rappaport, Earth 911 Program Manager. “Now we need to make sure that consumers understand that it is vital that these longer-life bulbs are disposed of properly in order to ensure maximum protection of our environment and personal health and safety.”
When products containing mercury are placed in the trash, the mercury can take one of two routes back into our water: if trash is sent to a landfill, mercury can eventually leak out of the landfill and enter groundwater; if trash is incinerated, mercury may be released as a vapor into the air and return to waterways through rain and snow. For CFL bulbs to be disposed of safely, the must be stored intact until they are returned to a facility equipped to process and recycle the bulbs.
“Every day provides an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the choices we make and how they affect our personal health and environment,” continued Rappaport. “Making sure to recycle hazardous materials we use in our homes, including CFLs, is just one small way that each of us can make a big difference.”
About Earth 911
For over 16 years Earth 911 has been the nation’s most widely used environmental information network, providing local access to environmental resources for communities throughout the United States. By simply entering a ZIP Code, local environmental information is available free of charge through the national Web site www.Earth911.org and toll free recycling hotline 1-800-CLEANUP (in Spanish and English).
The vast array of environmental resources and information available through Earth 911 includes:
- Recycling Center Locations
- Electronics Donation and Disposal Locations
- Safe Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Locations
- Energy Conservation Tips
- Tips on what you can do to combat Global Warming
- Green Shopping Tips
- The benefits of Composting and How-To Guide
- Local Beach Water Quality Alerts
- Business Recycling Resource Section
- Kids/Environmental Education Resources
Earth 911 provides vast economies of scale by consolidating thousands of local public notification systems into one. To keep the system current, tens of thousands of government coordinators around the country have the ability to update their community-specific recycling information. Each month over 10 million pages are viewed on the website and 30,000 calls are received on the phone system. Earth 911 provides these services through innovative public-private partnerships. Earth 911 partners with companies and industries as well as the EPA and other federal and local governments to educate businesses and individuals about the growing concerns of our planet.
Earth 911 was recently featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News and The Wall Street Journal. Earth 911 is a recipient of the Al Gore Hammer Award for Environmental Excellence.
For more information, contact Severn Williams at 510-336-9566.
Green Tip: Recycling Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 5, 2007
Los Angeles, CA – Public education and media campaigns have urged consumers to replace their incandescent light bulbs with the more energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs. Because CFLs are up to four times as energy efficient as the traditional incandescent bulb, switching to CFLs can both save the individual consumer money and reduce the amount of energy it takes to light a home. But there is one potential environmental downside to the increased use of CFLs, which is that these energy-efficient bulbs contain small amounts of mercury.
Recycling is the only proper means of managing mercury waste, which in most cases requires the consumer to be educated about how and where to dispose of potentially hazardous materials. Earth 911, through its Web site Earth911.org, provides easy access to local recycling information for CFLs and numerous other potentially hazardous household waste for communities throughout the country.
“The dramatic effort to increase use of CFLs may pay off considerably in terms of reduced energy consumption,” said Mark Rappaport, Earth 911 Program Manager. “Now we need to make sure that consumers understand that it is vital that these longer-life bulbs are disposed of properly in order to ensure maximum protection of our environment and personal health and safety.”
When products containing mercury are placed in the trash, the mercury can take one of two routes back into our water: if trash is sent to a landfill, mercury can eventually leak out of the landfill and enter groundwater; if trash is incinerated, mercury may be released as a vapor into the air and return to waterways through rain and snow. For CFL bulbs to be disposed of safely, the must be stored intact until they are returned to a facility equipped to process and recycle the bulbs.
“Every day provides an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the choices we make and how they affect our personal health and environment,” continued Rappaport. “Making sure to recycle hazardous materials we use in our homes, including CFLs, is just one small way that each of us can make a big difference.”
About Earth 911
For over 16 years Earth 911 has been the nation’s most widely used environmental information network, providing local access to environmental resources for communities throughout the United States. By simply entering a ZIP Code, local environmental information is available free of charge through the national Web site www.Earth911.org and toll free recycling hotline 1-800-CLEANUP (in Spanish and English).
The vast array of environmental resources and information available through Earth 911 includes:
- Recycling Center Locations
- Electronics Donation and Disposal Locations
- Safe Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Locations
- Energy Conservation Tips
- Tips on what you can do to combat Global Warming
- Green Shopping Tips
- The benefits of Composting and How-To Guide
- Local Beach Water Quality Alerts
- Business Recycling Resource Section
- Kids/Environmental Education Resources
Earth 911 provides vast economies of scale by consolidating thousands of local public notification systems into one. To keep the system current, tens of thousands of government coordinators around the country have the ability to update their community-specific recycling information. Each month over 10 million pages are viewed on the website and 30,000 calls are received on the phone system. Earth 911 provides these services through innovative public-private partnerships. Earth 911 partners with companies and industries as well as the EPA and other federal and local governments to educate businesses and individuals about the growing concerns of our planet.
Earth 911 was recently featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News and The Wall Street Journal. Earth 911 is a recipient of the Al Gore Hammer Award for Environmental Excellence.
For more information, contact Severn Williams at 510-336-9566.
Plain Dealer: The Dark Side of Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 4, 2007
Michael Scott, Plain Dealer Reporter
Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
May 4, 2007 Friday
Mercury in CFLs raises concerns
That bright, white light cast from increasingly popular fluorescent bulbs also throws a surprisingly dim environmental shadow.
So today, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency officials will meet with local solid waste district leaders to push their new plan to keep fluorescent bulbs out of landfills.
Their concern: up to 40 milligrams of toxic mercury found in each of tens of thousands of fluorescent tubes thrown away by Ohio business and industry. Mercury, the catalyst that makes the bulbs glow, is also a neurotoxin linked to brain, liver and kidney damage.
But the environmental apprehension doesn’t end there: There’s also some mercury in the newer, smaller compact fluorescent lights.
CFLs - those usually swirly-topped, screw-in bulbs that sell for as much as $14 but promise a lifespan of four years or more - are a hot environmental commodity.
They’re promoted by environmental groups as a way to reduce pollution and by retail giants like Wal-Mart, which has said it hopes to sell 100 million CFLs this year.
In fact, the highly efficient fluorescents remain highly recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency over electricity-draining incandescents.
But mercury concerns are rising.
Although an individual CFL may contain as little as 4 milligrams of mercury - one-tenth of the amount in the commercial-length tubes - there are a lot of them out there.
Compact fluorescents were introduced to the United States in 1989 but already make up about 7 percent of the market, with millions a year coming from China alone.
That bugs Cleveland artist and activist Ray Tapajna.
“Once I found out about the mercury and that 90 percent are made in China - and who knows what kind of pollution controls are in place over there? - I opposed them,” Tapajna said.
State and county officials said millions of the mercury bulbs someday landing in landfills would pose a serious problem but that collection and recycling efforts are coming along.
“It’s on everybody’s radar screen,” said Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Director Pat Holland. “Even though right now we’re worrying more about six-footers from businesses than smaller bulbs from individuals.”
EPA officials today will encourage waste-district leaders to provide better ways for fluorescent users to recycle.
“Right now we’re trying to get trade associations to be aware of the hazards,” said Helen Miller of the EPA’s Division of Solid Waste. “The volume used by households is not there yet, but it could be someday.”
For now, Holland said, a homeowner who tosses a CFL in the trash doesn’t even face a fine.
At the same time, consumers are warned not to breathe the dust from a broken fluorescent because of the mercury.
The EPA recommends cleaning up a broken CFL with a broom or wet cloth - not a vacuum - and placing the broken bulb in a plastic bag before disposing of it.
Officials at TCP Inc., an Aurora company that manufactures the compact units, recommends Internet sites earth911.org or lamprecycle.org to locate the nearest recycling center. Consumers can also call 1-800-CLEAN-UP.
Holland said the Cuyahoga district will accept the CFLs at a May 12 collection and other Northeast Ohio counties also have at least one collection day each year.
Lorain County Solid Waste District Director Dan Billman said residents fill a semitrailer truck with fluorescents every few months. The district has collected 87,000 bulbs since March 2005.
“We’re probably the most aggressive county in the state, and I think we’ve shown that there are a lot of fluorescents out there,” said Billman.
The rise of the CFL - and the environmental concerns - have not gone unnoticed by other bulb manufacturers.
Royal Phillips Electronics earlier this year rolled out new CFLs with an industry-low mercury content below 2 mg. General Electric, meanwhile, has said that by 2010 it will offer incandescent bulbs twice as efficient as those sold today and four times as efficient by 2012.
Even with concerns that CFLs are mostly manufactured overseas, that they sometimes don’t meet longevity claims, that many won’t work with a dimmer switch and that some still emit a cool, bluish light, the bulbs still are promoted heavily by environmental groups.
“We’re very gung-ho for CFLs,” said Jack Shaner of the Ohio Environmental Council. “We want people to keep on buying them and using them and learn about safe disposal practices.”
Shaner and others argue that using CFLs prevents more mercury from being released into the air by power plants because they are more efficient.
A power plant emits about 10 mg of mercury to produce the electricity needed to run an incandescent bulb, compared with only 2.4 mg of mercury to run a CFL for the same amount of time.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mscott@plaind.com, 440-602-4780
NATIONAL LOST AND FOUND PET DATABASE LAUNCHING IN HAMPTON ROADS AREA
Filed under: Pets 911 - May 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2007
Pets 911 to power national database giving Hampton Roads a more powerful and comprehensive lost and found for pets
Hampton Roads, VA – Pets911.com, the nation’s lost and found for pets, has teamed up with HRLostPets.org, a free service provided to Hampton Roads by the Portsmouth Humane Society, in order to deliver a more comprehensive and longer-lived database system for lost and rescued pets. Once listed, a pet will be kept on the database for a minimum of three months (90 days) and searchable by varied traits such as color and breed.
The lost and found posting area is a free community service provided by the Portsmouth Humane Society and is powered by Pets911.com. This integration of databases also provides for free local searches for: adoptable pets, veterinarians, emergency clinics, and shelter and rescues.
In addition, HRLostPets.org is the pilot program for Pet Alert. Pet Alert allows pet owners who have lost a pet to subscribe to a premium alert system for a nominal fee. They can choose to be notified via text message on their cell phone or in their email when a matching found pet is posted to the database. The alert system is free for those who find a pet or want to adopt a pet. Shelters and rescues can also sign up to receive free lost pet alerts – either daily or individually – to match to their stray animals.
The shelter management software provided by RescueGroups.org and currently in use at the Portsmouth Humane Society exports stray pets data to Pets911 automatically. If the pet owner has elected to receive a PetAlert, a message will be sent to the pet owner telling them that an animal that closely matched their lost pet has been recovered and where to find it.
The goal of this partnership is to get lost pets home faster and to alleviate the intakes at local area shelters. Individual citizens and shelters/rescues alike now have a powerful tool to help get pets reunited with their families.
HRLostPets.org will announce this launch at a weekend adoption event Saturday and Sunday, May 5-6, 2007 at the PetSmart at 1236 Greenbriar Pkway in Chesapeake, VA from 11am to 4pm. For more information, call 757-436-7559
About HRLostPets.org
HRLostPets.org is a free service provided to Hampton Roads by the Portsmouth Humane Society, there is never a charge to file a lost or found pet report through this site. Until its inception, there was no way for Hampton Roads pet owners to effectively communicate their missing animal information to each of the area animal shelters. The purpose of this website is to: reunite lost pets with their owners; assist Animal Control Officers with identification and recovery of lost pets; assist citizens searching for a lost pet by providing information and resources in a “one-stop” website designed to help meet their immediate need; educate the citizens of Hampton Roads in the hope of preventing their pets from becoming lost; educate pet owners about the issues that confront the animal welfare community each and every day.
About Pets 911
The mission of Pets911.com is to provide a public service that will one day create an America where all pets are valued companions that have lifelong, loving homes.
In addition to its real-time lost and found pet network, Pets911.com (and companion toll-free bilingual telephone hotline 1-888-PETS-911) allows pet owners and pet seekers to access community-specific pet-related information, including local animals available for adoption, a national lost and found pet database, spay/neuter facilities, licensing information, emergency & non-emergency veterinary offices, and tips on pet behavior, health, and grooming.
Individuals and organizations around the country feed regular updates into the Pets911 database, keeping listings of pets available for adoption, contact information for veterinarians, and lost and found pet information current.
For more information, go to Pets911.com.
CONTACT: Severn Williams
805-845-6247
Green Options - Green Myth Busting: Mercury and CFLs
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 3, 2007
Kelli Best-Oliver
Greenoptions.com
May 3, 2007
Green Myth Busting: Mercury and CFLs
During our energy unit, I had a student tell me that her family was going to install compact fluorescent bulbs in their home, but they were worried about the mercury. Huh? I hadn’t heard anything about this, and I had been using CFLs for years. I decided to investigate further.
Imagine my surprise when I learned that mercury exposure is a common misconception when it comes to CFLs. Fortunately, these myths are easily debunked.
Myth: There is a large amount of mercury in CFL bulbs.
Fact: Yes, there is mercury in CFLs. Generally, this amount is about 4 milligrams of mercury per bulb. To put this in perspective, a mercury thermometer has 500 milligrams of mercury in it, and older thermostats can contain as much as 3000 milligrams.
Interestingly enough, the use of CFLs can actually prevent mercury from entering our air. Burning fossil fuels produces more mercury in the air we breathe than any other source. Since CFLs use less energy, hence, fossil fuels, less mercury is put in the air. The EPA calculates that a power plant will emit 10 milligrams of mercury to produce the electricity needed to power an incandescent bulb over the course of its lifetime, but only 2.4 milligrams of mercury to power a CFL for the same amount of time.
Myth: There are no proper disposal guidelines for CFLs that have burned out.
Fact: CFLs are not technically considered hazardous waste by the government, but it is recommended that you use proper precautions when disposing of burnouts or breaks. Earth911.org can give you specific directions for disposal in your area. In general, you should dispose of CFLs like you would batteries, paint, or oil.
Myth: If a CFL breaks in your home, it will cost thousands of dollars to properly clean up the mercury released.
Fact: This is a myth that actually has an interesting story behind it. It apparently started when Steve Milloy published a story on Fox News claiming that a woman named Brandy Bridges broke a CFL in her child’s bedroom and was concerned about spilled mercury contaminating the carpet. When she called Home Depot, her local Poison Control, and finally the Department of Environmental Protection for the state of Maine, she claims they recommended a $2,000 carpet cleaning. Milloy used one line out of the original story about Bridges, published in Maine’s Ellsworth American, and neglects to mention that the story goes on to say that there is a simple, inexpensive, and safe method for cleaning up a spill such as this, and the DEP has now said that it “isn’t necessary to hire professionals at all” for a CFL break. Read a more thorough debunking here (via Treehugger).
In short, don’t believe the hype. You can breathe easy when it comes to using CFLs in your home.