CFL Bulbs: Recycling is Part of the Equation
added 05/01/08
by Emily Neuman
Co-op Sustainability Coordinator
Last February, the Co-op took a little green step and began selling compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs at near-cost pricing. The response was tremendous! Shoppers purchased 8,429 bulbs in 2007. During their life cycles, these bulbs will keep millions of pounds of greenhouse gases and pollutants out of the atmosphere. We are glad that by offering the bulbs at a great price, we’ve encouraged shoppers to make the switch from incandescent to CFL bulbs. But, we are also keenly aware that as more members switch to CFL bulbs at home, the importance of proper disposal intensifies.
Mercury is currently an essential component of CFL bulbs. It is present in all types of fluorescent lights, including grow lights and black lights. It is also present in high intensity discharge bulbs such as metal halides. The amount of mercury in each CFL bulb is very small – an average of 5 milligrams. That’s about enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. In contrast, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury.
Because mercury is hazardous, CFL bulbs should not be thrown in the trash. They should be recycled. Bulbs that are thrown in the trash can break, releasing mercury into the environment. When bulbs are recycled, mercury is captured for reuse. Lebanon Landfill and the Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District office in North Hartland accept fluorescent bulbs for recycling six days a week. Hanover Hardware and Fogg’s in Norwich will also take CFL bulbs. As of May 1, your Co-op will join them in providing recycling collection free of charge. Up to five used CFLs can be turned in at any one time to the service desk in either store.
If a CFL Bulb Breaks
If you are using CFL bulbs in your home, be aware that a broken bulb poses a health risk, especially for infants, children, and pregnant women. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use. But, when a bulb breaks, the mercury is released into the air; it may also be present in dust and glass shards. Therefore it is important to handle the bulbs carefully and to install them only where there is no risk of breakage. Broken bulbs cannot be sent for recycling; they can only be disposed of on your town’s household hazardous waste drop-off day.
Look here for more information about CFL bulbs and mercury, and check out the CFL fact sheet. These sheets explain what to do in the event that a bulb breaks in your home. Fact sheets are also available near the CFL displays in our stores.
As a sidebar: The largest source of mercury pollution in our environment comes from burning coal for electricity. Mercury is naturally present in coal veins; when the coal is mined and burned, mercury is released into the atmosphere. Because CFL bulbs require less electricity than incandescent bulbs, they actually help reduce the amount of mercury being released into the environment. When CFL bulbs are properly recycled, 99.9 percent of the mercury is captured for reuse. On average, coal-fired power plants capture only 36 percent of the mercury generated from burning coal.
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Natural and Specialty Department
Looking for jerk seasonings or hot curries? How about a fancy horseradish or raspberry honey mustard pretzel dip? Dark chocolate? International foods? Where does it all end?
Crossroad Farm
Post Mills, Vermont
Of all the farms that supply the Co-op, Tim and Janet Taylor of Post Mills, Vermont, sell the widest range of products, with lettuce serving as their major crop. They provide the Co-op with eight different varieties of lettuce, which are available seven days a week during the season. They also supply salad mix, cucumbers, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, green peppers, red potatoes, summer squash, and zucchini squash. In addition, Janet provides the Co-op Floral Department with annual flowers and hanging baskets.
