“Our membership embraces their federally‐mandated extended producer responsibilities and they are spearheading programs with private partners for the safe collection and disposal of mercury‐containing florescent bulbs, including CFLs.”
-Jim Taggart, President and CEO, EFC
Mercury and Responsible CFL Disposal
Mercury is a natural metal used as a conductor in many common electronics products. CFLs contain asmall amount of mercury in the form of a gas and sealed within the bulbs glass tubing allows the bulb to produce light in a highly efficient light source. The actual amount of mercury found in a CFL is about the size of the period at the end of this sentence.
CFLs should not be put into the garbage for regular disposal as the broken bulbs can release mercury into the environment. If a bulb is purchased, used and then returned undamaged to a retailer or distributor who offers collection programs, the mercury can be safely captured. If a bulb is accidentally broken indoors the following steps can be taken to safely deal with bulb contents:
- Open a window and vacate the area for 15 minutes to disperse any mercury gas.
- Use a wet rag to clean it up and put all of the pieces, and the rag, into a sealed plastic bag or jarwith a lid.
- Place all materials in a second sealed plastic bag.
- If it breaks on carpet, use sticky tape to pick up all the small pieces of glass. Put them into thesealed bags.
- Wash your hands.
- Return the bag to recycling center.
Despite the very small amounts of mercury in CFLs, they should still be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. EFC is working with government‐approved programs to ensure all Canadians have the resources they need to safely dispose of materials.
Working Together to Recycle Responsibly
Recently, in response to the British Columbia Government’s program launch to phase out below‐standard incandescent bulbs, EFC’s Electrical Equipment Manufacturers Association of Canada (EEMAC) Council worked closely with ProductCare to fund the development and management of “LightRecycle” for residential‐use fluorescent lamps.
Launched on July 1, 2010 the program sets programs and targets for bulb collection throughout the province (see www.productcare.org/lights for details). Nearly 80% of homes in BC use CFLs and are benefiting from the associated savings. This results in 600 gigawatt hours of electricity savings per year, the equivalent energy consumption of more than 50,000 households.
For more information on various provincial recycling programs, see EFC’s whitepaper on Sustainability.
For a bulb collection and recycling program in your area, check directly with your municipality, local retailers or distributors. If you have any further questions, please contact EFC at 1‐866‐602‐8877 or info@electrofed.com.
Electro‐Federation of Canada (EFC) is dedicated to fueling Canadians’ adoption of energy‐efficient lighting by being the key voice in stakeholder discussions about energy‐efficient lighting products, trends and recycling. EFC has been working with Federal and Provincial governments to inform regulation and programs that set new energy efficiency standards for lighting products. Federal and provincial regulation has been introduced which direct the phasing out of below‐standard incandescent bulbs. In response, EFC and its members support programs that encourage consumers and businesses to purchase, use and properly dispose of CFLs and other energy‐efficient bulbs.
About Us: Electro‐Federation of Canada is a national, not‐for‐profit industry association. Together, its five councils represent over 330 member companies that manufacture, distribute, and service electrical,electronics, and telecommunications products. EFC is engaged with our many stakeholders in leadingthe sustainable production and distribution of electrical and electronics products, as well as championing the programs that support awareness, use and the responsible recycling of electrical and electronics products.
