Guide to Promoting Recycling of Mercury-Containing Lamps
Most people are not aware that energy efficient lighting, such as fluorescent lights and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), contain mercury in amounts sufficient to warrant that they be handled as a hazardous waste at the end of their useful lives. Despite the presence of mercury, use of these lamps is an environmentally sound practice. The use of mercury-containing lamps reduces the need for coal, oil, and gas burned in power plants, as well as the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases and other air and water pollutants. Mercury lighting is three to four times more efficient than non-mercury lamps such as incandescent bulbs. Therefore, mercury use in lighting actually reduces greenhouse gas emissions and overall mercury pollution from fossil fuel burning.
- Solid waste haulers and facilities
- Government facilities
- Building owners and commercial property owners
- Electrical and/or lighting maintenance companies
The recycling of the components of a lamp with particular attention paid to the recovery of hazardous substances such as mercury.The collection, reprocessing, marketing, and use of materials that were diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream.Greenhouse gases are a part of the Earth's atmosphere and are both naturally occurring and the result of human chemical processes. The most common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and chlorofluourocarbons. These gases trap heat and thus contribute to the warming of the planet. See also CFCS and GREENHOUSE EFFECT.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.
