[GreenYes] Re: EPA mercury model

[David Biddle <Dbiddle@no.address>]

So, in essence what you¹re saying with the numbers you give is that in the
lifecycle analysis of incandescents, they produce 10 mg of mercury and in a
similar analysis CFLs produce 6.4 mg. That¹s not been borne out at all in
the press coverage of this issue. Any way you can provide your source? This
is important. Thanks, Joy.

As an aside, has anyone done business with GreenDisk using their TechnoTrash
Cans? They have a $30 for $35 pounds or less deal and a $40 for up to 70
pounds deal. Go to http://www.Greendisk.org

I¹m curious because it seems to me that the atomistic approach to
electronics that tends to be the norm, misses out on a more holistic set of
solutions. As far as I know GreenDisk is set up to be able to handle
everything electronic. I have one CFL right now (more in a couple of years)
but I also have old pre1990 printers, VHS tapes, a couple of busted laptops,
assorted laptop batteries, obsolete cell phones, cords, mice, bum CDs &
DVDs, old cassettes, old floppy disks, dilapidated keyboards, etc. I¹d just
as soon pay $40 to see the whole kit and kaboodle dealt with responsibily
than have it turn into an endless pile in my closet. As far as I know, they
don¹t take CFLs, but they sure should.


db
-- 
David Biddle, Executive Director
<http://www.blueolives.blogspot.com>
Greater Philadelphia Commercial Recycling Council
P.O. Box 4037
Philadelphia, PA 19118

215-247-3090 (desk)
215-432-8225 (cell)

<http://www.gpcrc.com>

Read In Business magazine to learn about sustainable
businesses in communities across North America!
Go to: <http://www.jgpress.com/inbusine.htm>
on 5/11/07 10:54 AM, Joy Kingsborough at joyking@no.address wrote:

> Here is a breakdown on Mercury emmissions vs. Mercury contained within the CFL
> that may be of interest:
> 
> Incandescent:
> -The production/manufacture of 1 traditional incandescent light bulb emits 10
> mg. of Mercury emissions into the air
> -1 traditional incandescent contains 0 mgs of mercury within the bulb itself
>  
> CFL:
> -CFLs produce 6.4 total mgs of combined Mercury (airborne emissions and solid
> mercury inside the CFL)
> -The production/manufacture of 1 CFL emits 2.4 mg. of Mercury emissions into
> the air (far less than a traditional light bulb)
> -1 CFL contains 4.0 mg of Mercury (mixed with other chemicals) within the
> glass tubing. This is about the size of the head of a ball point pen spread
> across the inside of the bulb.
>  
> Airborne mercury is a far greater concern than powder or liquid mercury
> contained in the bulb itself with the caveat that they are recycled properly.
> I have seen dozens of pictures of fluorescents in the landfills and it is
> disturbing.
>  
> Joy
> Arizona
> 
> 
> From: GreenYes@no.address [mailto:GreenYes@no.address] On Behalf
> Of Reindl, John
> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 6:20 AM
> To: Matthew Cotton
> Cc: GreenYes@no.address
> Subject: [GreenYes] RE: EPA mercury model
>  
> 
> Hi Matt ~
> 
>  
> 
> Yes, the EPA numbers do include all fluorescents. The model does show a break
> down of fluorescents and non-fluorescents (some of which also contain
> mercury).
> 
>  
> 
> BTW, some CFLs have more mercury in them than the linear bulbs. All should be
> recycled.
> 
>  
> 
> Again, I would be glad to send the model to anyone. There are a lot of mercury
> products that should be diverted from landfills and incinerators and I would
> encourage all recycling programs to help out in this effort.
> 
>  
> 
> John 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Matthew Cotton [mailto:mattcotton@no.address]
>> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:54 PM
>> To: Reindl, John
>> Cc: GreenYes@no.address
>> Subject: Re: [GreenYes] mercury from fluorescents
>> John -  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> I'm way out of my league here, but wouldn't the EPA number (for mercury)
>> include all fluorescent lights (like the long white tube kind, that are
>> fairly ubiquitous) versus the smaller, individual fixture Compact Fluorescent
>> Lights (CFLs) which are not quite as mainstream, but are seen as one quick
>> thing an individual can do to reduce individual energy consumption?
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Does EPA break out the source of the Hg (i.e., type of light, etc)?
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Matthew Cotton
>> 
>> Integrated Waste Management Consulting, LLC
>> 
>> 19375 Lake City Road
>> 
>> Nevada City, CA  95959
>> 
>> (530) 265-4560
>> 
>> Fax (530) 265-4547
>> 
>> mattcotton@no.address
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade Show,
>> February 8 - 12th, 2008 at the Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland,
>> California.  Check it out at www.compostingcouncil.org
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> On May 10, 2007, at 12:08 PM, Reindl, John wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> According to the mercury flow model done for EPA, the release of mercury from
>> fluorescents to the environment in 2005 in the US is estimated at about 8.2
>> metric tons, down from 13.7 metric tons in 2000.
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> All the coal burning power plants in the US emit about 45 metric tons of
>> mercury to the air.
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> So, fluorescents are not an insignificant source of mercury emissions to the
>> environment.
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Please let me know if you would like a copy of the model, which is an Excel
>> spreadsheet. 
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> John Reindl
>> 
>> Dane County, WI 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: GreenYes@no.address [mailto:GreenYes@no.address]On Behalf
>>> Of daklute@no.address
>>> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 1:51 PM
>>> To: Doug Koplow
>>> Cc: bill@no.address; GreenYes@no.address
>>> Subject: [GreenYes] Re: Ban the Bulb -- But don't create a new toxic
>>> problem, say local governments
>>> The ENERGY STAR program has pretty rigorous QA/QC in terms of lumen
>>> maintenance and hours of use. If they don't perform, they don't get
>>> certified. IF they don't get certified, Wal-Mart won't sell them. Also, the
>>> EPACT set up certain hours of use requirmenets for CFL's - I think it is
>>> 6000. 
>>> 
>>> Don't forget, as a source of anthropogenic Hg, this is a very small one.
>>> 
>>>>  
>> <BR
> 
> > 
> 






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