| Mercury is poisonous, yet it's a critical part of | | | | Inc. and other big chains to get involved. |
| most compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), the | | | | One problem with recycling is that it isn't cheap. |
| kind that environmentalists and some | | | | The value of the metal, glass and mercury |
| governments are pushing as a new way to cut | | | | reclaimed from recycling fails to offset the cost |
| energy consumption. Mercury is probably best | | | | of the process. Costs can range from 20 cents |
| known for its effects on the nervous system. It | | | | to 50 cents per bulb — not a paltry sum |
| can also damage the kidneys and liver, and in | | | | when some CFLs sell for less than $2 at |
| sufficient quantities can cause death. | | | | Wal-Mart. |
| There were an estimated 150 million CFLs sold in | | | | But, compared with the overall lifecycle cost of |
| the United States in 2006 and, and Wal-Mart alone | | | | buying and using a bulb, recycling would be less |
| hopes to sell 100 million in 2007. Some scientists | | | | than 1 percent. Another obstacle lies in the fragility |
| and environmentalists are worried that most are | | | | of the bulbs and their mercury content. |
| ending up in garbage dumps. U.S. regulators, | | | | The U.S. government has no single recycling plan |
| manufacturers and environmentalists note that, | | | | in mind. Among the alternatives are special |
| because CFLs require less electricity than | | | | curbside collections by municipalities, mail-back |
| traditional incandescent bulbs, they reduce overall | | | | programs by manufacturers and drop-off |
| mercury in the atmosphere by cutting emissions | | | | programs at various places, including retail stores |
| from coal-fired power plants. | | | | that sell CFLs, he said. |
| But some of the mercury emitted from landfills | | | | Some methods lend themselves to certain |
| — in the form of vaporous methyl-mercury | | | | geographic areas more than others, because of |
| —can get into the food chain more readily | | | | differences in population density, transportation |
| than inorganic elemental mercury released directly | | | | infrastructure and proximity to recycling sites. |
| from a broken bulb or even coal-fired power | | | | State laws are also a factor. Federal regulations |
| plants, according to government scientist Steve | | | | mandate recycling of fluorescent lighting, while |
| Lindberg. | | | | exempting households and other small users. |
| "Disposal of any mercury-contaminated material in | | | | Some states, however, are strict. For example, |
| landfills is absolutely alarming to me," said Lindberg, | | | | California no longer allows anyone to throw CFLs |
| emeritus fellow of the U.S. Department of | | | | in the trash, while Massachusetts requires |
| Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. | | | | manufacturers to implement recycling programs |
| The mercury content in the average CFL -- now | | | | and meet certain targets. |
| about 5 milligrams -- would fit on the tip of a | | | | As technology advances, however, mercury could |
| ballpoint pen, according to the U.S. Environmental | | | | become less of an issue, at least as far as light |
| Protection Agency, and manufacturers have | | | | bulbs are concerned. Last month General Electric |
| committed to cap the amount in most CFLs to 5 | | | | Co. said it was working on doubling the energy |
| milligrams or 6 milligrams per bulb. To prevent | | | | efficiency of incandescent lights and eventually |
| mercury from getting into landfills, the EPA, CFL | | | | developing versions comparable with CFLs. These |
| makers and various organizations advocate | | | | bulbs, which the company hopes to begin |
| recycling. Besides commercial recyclers and some | | | | marketing in 2010, will cost less than fluorescents |
| municipal waste collection services, some retailers | | | | but they won't last as long. |
| accept used CFLs. | | | | Meanwhile, some environmentally minded |
| IKEA, the Swedish home furnishings chain, has | | | | consumers in Dallas, Houston and throughout |
| free drop-off programs at all of its 234 stores, | | | | Texas are embracing CFLs and doing their best to |
| 29 of which are in the United States. Now | | | | dispose of them responsibly. |
| advocacy groups are calling on Wal-Mart Stores | | | | |