Ludington Daily News: CFL: A Green Dilemma
Filed under: Earth 911 - April 22, 2008
The energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) have become the objects of controversy for containing a small amount of mercury.
The new bulbs last 10 times longer and use 75 percent less energy than regular incandescent bulbs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The catch is, a fluorescent light bulb also typically contains mercury, but only around 5 milligrams of mercury, just enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen.
Despite reductions through the years in the amount used, mercury remains a crucial element in allowing CFLs to become energized and produce light, and the element is the main reason why the bulbs are so energy efficient.
Although no mercury is released while the bulbs are operating, its presence raises the issue of what to do with fluorescent bulbs when they break or need to be replaced.
Most of the materials used to make CFLs, including mercury, can be recycled. However, www.earth911.org indicates there is no place within 50 miles of Ludington that collects these bulbs to be recycled. Currently, the State of Michigan only has recycling programs in place for mercury thermometers.
If no other alternative can be found, the EPA and the Michigan Department of Community Health advise placing a CFL bulb in two sealed plastic bags before disposing of it with household trash. On the other hand, those who are familiar with the waste disposal process are aware this precaution won’t adequately prevent mercury from getting into a landfill.
David Hasenbank, director of the Mason County Department of Public Works, said mercury will only be prevented from escaping if the plastic bags stay in one piece. “If it’s going to a landfill, then a plastic bag won’t help because the compactor unit (on a garbage truck) will likely tear the bag apart. If you plan on holding on to the bulb or saving it until it can be properly disposed of, then putting the bulb in a bag is a good idea, but only so long as it stays intact,” Hasenbank said.