[GreenYes] The Mercury / CFL Thread - Wal-Mart plans mercury reductions in CFLs

[Stephan Pollard <stephan.pollard@no.address>]

All,

A month-and-a-half or so ago I mentioned having attended Wal-Mart's 
quarterly Business Sustainability Milestone Meeting here in Arkansas.  I 
also mentioned that Lee Scott pretty much guaranteed that something was 
going to be done about the mercury - CLF problem.  Well, these guys are 
game changers and they're changing the game.  Have a look.

Stephan


*Wal-Mart plans mercury reductions in CFLs*

May 11 -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it is working with manufacturers to 
lower the mercury content in compact fluorescent light bulbs by 33 percent.

General Electric, Royal Philips, Osram Sylvania and Lights of America 
all agreed to reduce mercury levels more than the 5 milligram standard 
set by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. They also 
agreed to use clean production techniques. Lights of America even plans 
to have no more than 2 milligrams of mercury in its bulbs by the end of 
2007.

"The reductions will ensure that consumers can take advantage of the 
financial and environmental benefits of CFLs now," said Andy Ruben, vice 
president of strategy and sustainability for Wal-Mart. "Today´s action 
is a great win for the environment and our customers."

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than 
traditional light bulbs, and they can last up to 10 times longer. 
Coal-fired plants emit less mercury into the atmosphere to power a CFL 
compared with a traditional incandescent bulb, according to the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency. Suppliers and retailers are working on 
making CFLs more affordable for the public in order to please shoppers.

Wal-Mart plans to sell at least 100 million of the bulbs by 2008.

-- 
Stephan Pollard, Ph.D.-Environmental Dynamics
555 W. Maple St., Apt. C
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 444-7445
(479) 799-9190 cell

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