According to wikipedia, (I Know, I know... but its the easiest)
"Since CFLs use less power to supply the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp of the same lumen rating, they can be used to decrease overall energy consumption. Generation of electricity is a major source of
pollution in various forms. According to Environment Canada:
"The electricity sector is unique among industrial sectors in its very large contribution to emissions associated with nearly all air issues. Electricity generation produces a large share of Canadian nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide emissions, which contribute to smog and acid rain and the formation of fine particulate matter. It is the largest uncontrolled industrial source of mercury emissions in Canada. Fossil fuel-fired electric power plants also emit carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change. In addition, the sector has significant impacts on water and habitat and species. In particular, hydro dams and transmission lines have significant effects on water and biodiversity."[11]
Mercury use of compact fluorescent bulb vs. incandescent bulb when powered by electricity generated from
coal.
CFLs contain small amounts of
mercury[12][13] and it is a concern for
landfills and
waste incinerators where the mercury from lamps may be released and contribute to air and water
pollution. In the USA, lighting manufacturer members of the
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) have made a voluntary commitment to cap the amount of mercury used in CFLs:
Under the voluntary commitment, effective April 15, 2007, NEMA members will cap the total mercury content in CFLs of less than 25 watts at 5 milligrams (mg) per unit. The total mercury content of CFLs that use 25 to 40 watts of electricity will be capped at 6 mg per unit.[14]
Some manufacturers such as Philips and GE make very low mercury content CFLs.
[15] Safe disposal requires storing the bulbs unbroken until they can be processed. Consumers should seek advice from
local authorities. Usually, one can either:
- Return used CFLs to where they were purchased, so the store can recycle them correctly; or
- Take used CFLs to a local recycling facility.
The first step of processing involves crushing the bulbs in a machine that uses
negative pressure ventilation and a mercury-absorbing filter or
cold trap to contain and treat the contaminated gases. Many municipalities are purchasing such machines. The crushed glass and metal is stored in drums, ready for shipping to recycling factories.
Note that
coal power plants are the "the largest uncontrolled industrial source of mercury emissions in Canada".
[16] According to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), (when coal power is used) the mercury released from powering an incandescent bulb for five years exceeds the total of (a) the mercury released by powering a comparably luminous CFL for the same period and (b) the mercury contained in the lamp.
[17] It should be noted, however that the "EPA is implementing policies to reduce airborne mercury emissions. Under regulations issued in 2005, coal-fired power plants will need to reduce their emissions by 70 percent by 2018."
[18]. This change will lengthen the term before CFLs are better than incandescents. If CFLs are recycled and the mercury reclaimed, the equation tilts towards CFLs, and if non-coal sources of electricity are used, the equation tilts toward incandescents."
Therefore the energy saving and environmental effects due to lessening greenhouse gases are offset by pollution in the form of mercury unless we have a lightbulb recycling program in place.
Will there be a factory built in each province to recycle these?
What will the emissions be from such a factory?? just curious, I dont know!
Ottawa to ban inefficient light bulbs
<-----Check the Badge bitches. You want some Awesome, you come to me!
