Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or popularly referred to as CFL’s, are a type of fluorescent lamp
. Most CFL types were produced to replace incandescent bulbs
, and these are noted to have efficient life spans, and also feature a considerably reduced light output.
According to lighting experts, the average lifespan of a CFL unit is from 8 to 15 times that of an incandescent bulbs
. Incandescent lighting
units generally have life spans of around 750 to 1,000 hours. CFL units however, use less power and have longer shelf lives. While CFL’s have a quite higher purchase price, it can save as much as 30 dollars in electricity costs over the lighting unit’s life span.
While compact fluorescent lamps have longer life spans, and save you money on electricity bills, these products contain mercury, which makes their disposal a quite complex one. CFL’s, and other fluorescent lamps
generally have small amounts of mercury inside them that are used as vapor inside the glass tubing.
A typical CFL unit will contain as much as 3 to 5 mg of mercury, while some contain 1 mg or less. Since mercury is a highly-toxic material, its disposal in landfills or incinerators poses a major health safety issue, because burning or burying them in the ground can contribute to air and water pollution. This has prompted the National Electrical Manufacturers Association in the US to voluntary cap the amount of mercury placed in each CFL unit.
The European Union has also required lighting manufacturers to cap their CFL mercury content too. The US Environmental Protection Agency also estimates that if all CFL’s produced in the US were dumped in landfills, this would amount to 0.13 metric tons, or 0.1% of all mercury emissions in the US.
Here are some tips and precautions for the handling, disposal or recycling
or compact fluorescent lamps.
• Find out if your town or city has drop-off points or centers where mercury-containing items are accepted. Because different states have different regulations regarding the handling or disposal of materials containing toxic ingredients, check on your state or city’s recycling regulations first.
• Place a CFL bulb in two plastic bags. Most US states require that you place a CFL bulb in two plastic bags, so that it’s mercury content won’t seep out if the bulb gets broken.
• Find out if there’s a retailer in your town or city who accepts the trade-in of old CFL bulbs. Some retailers like Ikea, have major recycling programs for CFL’s, however they may levy a small fee for disposal. Also determine whether your state allows the disposal of CFL bulbs in your weekly trash. Also dispose broken CFL bulbs by scooping the fragments or powder using a stiff cardboard, and also place the materials in a sealed plastic bag, and stuff this into another bag as well.
Lowes Recycling Center Locator
Since the CFL contains mercury and it is one of the major, heavy metals, killing our waterways, don't buy any more. Go to the LED light
-bulbs. You will be surprised at the reduction in their prices. They cost a little more, last a lot longer (I won't live long enough to see any burn out) and they use less energy. You can check out my LED page or my eLED store which is powered by amazon.
. Most CFL types were produced to replace incandescent bulbs, and these are noted to have efficient life spans, and also feature a considerably reduced light output.What’s The Average Lifespan of a Typical CFL Lamp?
According to lighting experts, the average lifespan of a CFL unit is from 8 to 15 times that of an incandescent bulbs
. Incandescent lighting units generally have life spans of around 750 to 1,000 hours. CFL units however, use less power and have longer shelf lives. While CFL’s have a quite higher purchase price, it can save as much as 30 dollars in electricity costs over the lighting unit’s life span.Environmental Issues Regarding The Use Of CFLs
generally have small amounts of mercury inside them that are used as vapor inside the glass tubing.A typical CFL unit will contain as much as 3 to 5 mg of mercury, while some contain 1 mg or less. Since mercury is a highly-toxic material, its disposal in landfills or incinerators poses a major health safety issue, because burning or burying them in the ground can contribute to air and water pollution. This has prompted the National Electrical Manufacturers Association in the US to voluntary cap the amount of mercury placed in each CFL unit.
The European Union has also required lighting manufacturers to cap their CFL mercury content too. The US Environmental Protection Agency also estimates that if all CFL’s produced in the US were dumped in landfills, this would amount to 0.13 metric tons, or 0.1% of all mercury emissions in the US.
How To Properly Dispose And Recycle CFL’s
Here are some tips and precautions for the handling, disposal or recycling
or compact fluorescent lamps.• Find out if your town or city has drop-off points or centers where mercury-containing items are accepted. Because different states have different regulations regarding the handling or disposal of materials containing toxic ingredients, check on your state or city’s recycling regulations first.
• Place a CFL bulb in two plastic bags. Most US states require that you place a CFL bulb in two plastic bags, so that it’s mercury content won’t seep out if the bulb gets broken.
• Find out if there’s a retailer in your town or city who accepts the trade-in of old CFL bulbs. Some retailers like Ikea, have major recycling programs for CFL’s, however they may levy a small fee for disposal. Also determine whether your state allows the disposal of CFL bulbs in your weekly trash. Also dispose broken CFL bulbs by scooping the fragments or powder using a stiff cardboard, and also place the materials in a sealed plastic bag, and stuff this into another bag as well.
Lowes Recycling Center Locator
Since the CFL contains mercury and it is one of the major, heavy metals, killing our waterways, don't buy any more. Go to the LED light
-bulbs. You will be surprised at the reduction in their prices. They cost a little more, last a lot longer (I won't live long enough to see any burn out) and they use less energy. You can check out my LED page or my eLED store which is powered by amazon.PUD 3's CFL recycling at EcoLights Facility Tour
Published on Jul 31, 2012
CFLs use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. They are an affordable energy efficient alternative to lighting your home. However, each CFL contains a very small amount of mercury, which means they must be disposed of properly at the end of their life.
Mason County PUD 3 is a drop-off location for used compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and used household batteries. PUD 3 contracts with EcoLights to ensure these products are disposed of and recylced properly. This is a short EcoLights facility tour.
For questions or comments, please call Mason County PUD 3 at (360) 426-8255 or email web@masonpud3.org.
Thank you for stopping by and taking your time to read my post "CLFs Contain Mercury- Dispose of Properly" Sit down, relax, take your shoe off, make yourself at home and have a look around. Below I have my most recent published post, links to the other pages on this site,and links to my free blogs from google. Don't forget the related article. You might find something that interest you. Feel free to comment or share, being new at this I need all the help that I can get.
Thanks again and y'all come back now.
Keep Smiling
reuben
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