Household Hazardous Waste: Mercury-Containing Lamps
Energy efficient lighting currently requires a small amount of mercury to generate a chemical reaction which transforms electrical energy into light.
The most common types of energy-efficient lighting that contain mercury are:
- Fluorescent Bulbs: These are used in most schools, hospitals, office buildings and stores, compact fluorescents (CFLs) provide an alternative to traditional incandescents for residential use
- HID Bulbs: High Intensity Discharge bulbs include mercury vapor bulbs, metal halide and high-pressure sodium bulbs, and they are used for streetlights, floodlights, parking lots, and industrial lighting
- Neon/Argon Lamps: These are commonly used in the electric sign industry
Almost all components of a fluorescent bulb can be separated and either reused or recycled:
- Metal end caps (reuse or sell as scrap metal)
- Glass tubing (remanufactured)
- Mercury and phosphor powder (new light bulbs or other devices)
RATIONALE
The EPA estimates that over 670 million mercury-containing bulbs are discarded each year in the US, and most of those bulbs are either land filled or incinerated. As a result, elemental mercury is released into the environment through breakage and can find its way into the food chain.
Despite the potential negative impacts, the use of mercury-containing bulbs for general indoor lighting makes good environmental sense. These are the most energy-efficient bulbs on the market, and any added electrical generation from coal-burning power plants ultimately releases more mercury into the environment.
Lighting manufacturers have greatly reduced the amount of mercury used in lighting over the past two decades. Mercury-containing bulbs contain an average of 5 milligrams of mercury — about 1/100th of the amount found in a mercury fever thermometer.
BENEFIT
- Fluorescent bulbs are more cost effective because they last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
- Less manufacturing and transportation inputs required for a more durable product.
- Reduced load on power plants resulting in reduced emissions of GHGs.
RISKS
If used lamps are improperly stored or handled when broken, people in the vicinity can be exposed to a small amount of mercury.
ACTION AGENTS
- Environmental Management department
- Solid Waste Management/Recycling department
- Public Works department
COST
The average cost of recycling a fluorescent bulb is between 6-10 cents per bulb foot — just 1-2% of the lifetime cost (purchase + energy).
Pure mercury (rather than a mercury-containing compound), the vapor of which is commonly used in fluorescent and other lamp types.The collection, reprocessing, marketing, and use of materials that were diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream.The bulb or tube portion of an electric lighting device.The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
