Green Science Online Blog

Will CFL Recycling Regulations Reduce Savings for Consumers?

This month, Maine became the first state to pass a law requiring compact fluorescent bulb manufacturers to pay for a mandatory CFL recycling program.

CFLs are highly efficient alternatives to standard incandescent light bulbs.   But all CFLs contain toxic mercury, which is released into the environment when the bulbs are crushed and broken in landfills.  The mercury can percolate down into the water table and out into streams and rivers, where it builds up in the tissues of fish.  When humans and other predators consume the fish, they risk mercury poisoning.

A recycling program would set up central collection sites where homeowners can drop off burned out and broken CFL bulbs.  The bulbs would be shipped in sealed containers to a recycling plant for processing.  Most of the mercury in the CFLs would be collected and reused.  The rest would go to hazardous waste disposal sites.

The program would be financed by CFL manufacturers.  Unfortunately, that cost would probably be passed on to consumers, which creates a problem.

Many consumers are turning to CFLs to help save money on utility bills.  But with a price increase caused by the new recycling regulations, will they see their savings evaporate?

And more importantly, are other energy efficient lightbulbs, such as LEDs and energy saver halogen bulbs, which don’t contain mercury, realistic alternatives to CFLs?

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Choose the right energy efficient light bulb

The greenest energy source is the kind you never have to use.  Or, to paraphrase Ben Franklin, “A kilowatt saved is a kilowatt earned.”

Those who want to save money on electric bills (and those who want to reduce their carbon dioxide footprint)  need to convert their incandescent bulbs to energy efficient light bulbs.  But which type is best? CFLs? LEDs? Or is there another choice?

Now available from Green Science Online Publishing, The Energy Efficient Light Bulb Buyer’s Guide is ready for instant download.

Click here for more information on how to save money and energy with energy efficient light bulbs.

Whether of not you are concerned about Global Warming caused by carbon dioxide and other “greenhouse gases” released through human activity, one thing’s for sure:

Reducing the amount of energy wasted in our homes is good for the planet–and for the wallet.

Your monthly home energy bills may be costing you more than your car payment. And even though oil prices are down, rates for electricity, gas and heating oil just keep climbing. There’s nothing you can do about the prices–so you’ve got to drastically cut the amount of energy you use.

That’s why I’ve created an electronic (downloadable) book, giving home-owners and renters all the facts about how to save energy and money with energy efficient light bulbs.

Click here for more information about The Energy Efficient Light Bulb Buyer’s Guide, and start saving energy and money today!