[GreenYes] More on CFL, Hg thread

[Anne Peters <annep@no.address>]

I forwarded this discussion to colleagues at Ecos Consulting - 
environmental/energy experts with a strong niche in lighting, especially 
residential.  Good stuff to share with Greenyes:

Chris Calwell wrote:
I'm headed to Paris later this week to speak on this topic at the 
International Energy Agency - Vicki's been following the CFL disposal 
issue, so I'll encourage her to get back to you.  I personally think a 
tax on the sale of incandescent light bulbs would be a fine idea - use 
the bads to pay for the goods as we say...

Vicki Fulbright Calwell then added: 
 
I continue to be amazed that a product category that represents less 
than 0.01% from anthropogenic mercury emissions gets so much attention.
 
Regarding Doug's first comment about HHW not being convenient. CFLs last 
an average of five years, so it's hard to argue that they are a constant 
hassle. EPA recommends keeping a box in your garage/basement and taking 
when other items build up (e.g., paint, pesticides, etc.).
 
The air conditioning example is comparing apples to oranges. Of the 
energy that goes into an incandescent lamp, only 10% comes out as 
visible light. So it's actually responsible for MORE mercury emissions 
than a CFL (keep in mind that the single largest source of mercury 
emissions in the US/world are coal-fired power plants).   I wrote a 
column a few weeks ago for a northwest publication -- it provides a 
high-level overview of this particular conundrum. You can view it at: 
http://www.nwcurrent.com/commentary/guest/5266341.html.
 
Incandescents are cheaply priced, which makes it attractive to 
consumers, so I'm not opposed to a tax on incandescents. It's much 
better than taxing consumers who choose the more efficient lighting 
options (either through advanced recovery fees or end-of-life fees). 
Also, setting efficiency standards (or outright bans) on energy-guzzling 
products has had great success. Refrigerators are the great energy 
efficiency story. I'll throw that one back into Chris' court to tell. I 
do agree that an outright ban is not feasible (there just aren't enough 
substitutes for all applications), but minimum efficiency standards and 
phase-outs are approaches that should be considered. The need to 
seriously address global climate change is urgent, and we need to act now.
 
LEDs show great promise -- more because of their energy efficiency 
properties -- but they are nowhere near market ready to replace general 
service incandescent lamps or the CFL. We'll check back in on that one 
in about another 5 years. Additionally, they may be mercury free, but 
they are not toxin free.
 
The issue will remain contentious and dynamic for time to come. But we 
know one thing for certain: an artificial light source without 
environmental consequence does not yet exist, so impacts must be 
assessed comprehensively and not by mercury alone. CFLs prevent the 
emissions of substantial quantities of mercury, greenhouse gases and 
other pollutants, they reduce consumer energy bills, and they last far 
longer than incandescent alternatives. They are currently the 
environmentally preferable product despite their mercury content (and 
regardless if they are recycled or not).
 
Also important to note, the average Hg content per lamp is steadily 
dropping, with a significant push underway to reduce to best practice 
levels: 1.7 - 2.3 milligrams. NEMA manufacturers are also voluntarily 
adopting a 5 mg limit (6 mg in higher wattages). This means the average 
will likely drop from 5 mg to ~3mg. This is the equivalent to achieving 
a 40% recycling rate without the exorbitant costs associated with 
recycling. (It takes an average of $45,000 to collect just one pound of 
mercury!).
 
I'll be traveling the next three weeks, but let me know if other 
questions pop up. 
 
Best,
Vicki
 
Anne Peters
Gracestone, Inc.
303.494.4934 vox
303.494.4880 fax

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