Cfl

[NPElectrical]

Why is california pushing CFL's when they have such a negative effect on the environment when they get thrown away by the home owner and release all of the mercury into the landfills?
And is their a safer gas that can be used the is not so toxic?

 

[480sparky]

You're not supposed to toss 'em in the Hefty bag. You are supposed to recycle them, just like all fluorescents.

 

[jeremysterling]

You're not supposed to toss 'em in the Hefty bag. You are supposed to recycle them, just like all fluorescents.

Actually (from the EPA website):

"If your state or local environmental regulatory agency offers no other disposal options except your household garbage, place the fluorescent light bulb in two plastic bags and seal it before putting it into the outside trash, or other protected outside location, for the next normal trash collection."

You are right, 480. Disposer must use two Hefty bags.

 

[480sparky]

....You are right, 480. Disposer must use two Hefty bags.

Does it say how man Wimpy bags?

 

[Mr. Bill]

Why is california pushing CFL's when they have such a negative effect on the environment when they get thrown away by the home owner and release all of the mercury into the landfills?
And is their a safer gas that can be used the is not so toxic?

Hi, welcome to the forum. I was just talking in another thread about how the public in general has a negative view of fluorescent lighting and how dangerous it is.

Fluorescent lamps when thrown away do put mercury directly into the landfill. But only a portion of that mercury works it's way into the ground water. Now most of our electricity comes from coal power plants. Coal contains very small amounts of mercury and when it's burned all of the mercury goes up the smoke stack and into the atmosphere. When it rains all of that mercury goes into our lakes and rivers. So the less coal burned, the less mercury in our ground water. Energy Star did a comparison of mercury pollution for regular incandescent lamps vs CFL. http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

And currently mercury is the best gas for making light.

 

[Billy_Bob]

They are probably wanting to reduce or "check" energy use because no one in California wants new electric lines run in their backyard!

The choice is additional electric lines or reduce power consumption.

They are also going after flat screen TV's...

Flat-screen TVs to face energy-efficiency rules in California
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tv3-2009jan03,0,2869589.story

 

[drbond24]

Why is california pushing CFL's when they have such a negative effect on the environment when they get thrown away by the home owner and release all of the mercury into the landfills?

They elected Ah-nold as their governor. Why do you expect anything else they do to make sense?

If you don't use CFLs, you're a girly-man!