greendubuque.org

    Introduction:

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) do contain a small amount of mercury--about 4-6mg per bulb is typical, which is about 100-times less than a typical mercury thermometer.  This is a small amount of mercury, but when handling any toxic heavy metal, you should exercise proper caution and responsibility.  If a bulb is breaks in your home, you should use care and follow the EPA’s cleanup guidelines for CFLs.  See our CFL Recycling, Cleanup, and Safety page for more information, including instructions on proper disposal and recycling of CFLs.

Mercury and CFLs:  Bad for the Environment?

Virtually every light and power source has its pros and cons.  For CFLs, energy efficiency is obviously a pro, while mercury use is obviously a con.  The questions is, do the pros outweigh the cons?  The answer, it turns out, is yes!

Ironically, over their entire life cycle, CFLs can actually reduce the amount of mercury entering our environment.  Electricity generated by fossil fuels like coal (the source of most of our electricity) emits a significant amount of mercury into the air.  CFLs use 75% less energy, on average, than incandescent bulbs, which in turn suggests that CFLs require the burning of 75% fewer fossil fuels.  According to the EPA:

This all adds up to a net mercury savings for CFLs compared to incandescents, as you can see in the figure below (taken from EPA fact sheet). 

Of course, this balance will change when we switch to clean, renewable sources of energy that are mercury-emission-free.  But by that time, efficient, mercury-free light sources like light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will have improved in price and lighting quality enough to replace CFLs.  We’re all looking forward to that day, but, realistically, it could take another decade to arrive.  So what should we light our homes with until then?  CFLs, of course!

And there’s one more important thing to bear in mind.   The mercury emitted from power plants is running loose in the environment, whereas the mercury in CFLs is safely contained in the bulbs.  Of course, that mercury in CFLs would be released if they ended up in a landfill, but if CFLs are properly recycled, the mercury can be recovered and reused.  Dubuquers can contact the Dubuque Regional Collection Center to recycle their CFLs.  Be sure to give the collection center a call at 563-557-1838 to make an appointment before dropping off your bulbs.

Here’s a simple tip to help keep CFLs out of your trashcan.  Wherever you currently store your light bulbs (e.g. hall closets or garage), add a sturdy shoebox labeled “Used CFLs.”  Line it with an old rag, towel, or t-shirt (for padding), and store burned-out CFLs inside it until you get around to taking them to the collection center. 

Related links and articles:

Ø      National Geographic has written an article discussing the myth and realities of mercury and CFLs:  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/05/070518-cfls-bulbs.html

Ø      According to the National Electricity Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the mercury content of CFLs is about to decrease even further.  Learn more here.

Ø      The Maryland Sierra Club has also made some rough, back-of-the-envelope calculations on the mercury used and saved over the life of CFLs and incandescent bulbs.  Their calculations used power-generation data for Wisconsin, whose power mix should quite similar to Dubuque’s.

Ø      Instructions on dealing with broken CFLs:  http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent

Ø      Instructions on proper CFL disposal:  http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

Ø      Where Dubuquers can take CFLs for proper disposal and recycling (free for residential customers):

Dubuque Regional Collection Center

Highway 20 W

Dubuque, IA 52001

(563) 557-1838 (must make an appointment to drop off CFLs)

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