Will CFL Recycling Regulations Raise Bulb Prices, Reduce Energy Savings?
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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