CFL Recycling

Lamps and Mercury

• CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs)

- Approximately 290 million sold in 2007- Available for recycling 7-10 years later- Current average is 3 to 4 mg

• Linear Fluorescent -Approximately 600 million in 2007-Available for recycling 4-6 years later (commercial lamps)-Average mercury content is 8.3 mg

• Residential recycling remains around 2% per year

Recycling Infrastructure

• Local Household Hazardous Waste Collections

- Depend upon the state and the community- Not well publicized- Free or a fee; sporadic

• Retail Collection- Ikea- Ace Hardware- Home Depot

Local Government & Retailers

• Local government and retailers

-Local government recruits retailers- Retailers serve as collection points- Local government provides expertise and promotion- Funding source varies

Local Government & Utilities

• Local government and utilities

- Utility funding- collection & recycling- promotion

- Style of program varies- mail-back

recycling- dedicated pick-

up- retailers as

collection points

Local Ordinances

• Landfill bans

• Local Ordinances

Federal Government• Outreach and Education

- website: http://www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling- National Campaign

• Product Stewardship Institute Dialogue on Fluorescent Lighting

-Goal: Promote energy-efficient lighting while reducing mercury and other toxins entering into the environment

- Three focus areas: infrastructure, financing, bans / enforcement,

Contact Us

• Allison Watanabe

US EPA / Office of Solid Waste703-308-0439watanabe.allison@epa.gov