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ENERGY STAR® Residential Lighting Program
Guidance for Recycling Energy Efficient Bulbs and Lamps
Compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) contains mercury as does all fluorescent lighting. Mercury is a toxic substance that must be disposed of properly. At the end of their long lives, CFLs should be recycled so the mercury and phosphors contained in the CFL can be reclaimed and re-used. The Maine Public Utilities Commission's Efficiency Maine program web site contains a link to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's (Click here to download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.) web page that advises businesses and homeowners of proper lamp disposal practices. The Efficiency Maine program staff is currently working with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP) to help get this message out, and is incorporating the message in our advertising and promotional materials. In addition, our field staff are training the employees at all of the retail outlets whom participate in our program in the proper recycling practices for mercury containing lights.
Without minimizing the importance of proper lamp disposal, people should know the efficient lighting program provides net positive environmental benefits. Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity results in the release of many pollutants including mercury. By using electricity more efficiently, the uncontrolled release of these pollutants into the air can be avoided. For example, we estimate that the efficient lights purchased through the Efficiency Maine program just last year will avoid the annual release of 4,100 pounds of nitrogen oxides, 11,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 3,400 tons of CO2 for each year of the bulbs life which is estimated to be five years. If these bulbs are recycled properly, we will reclaim and re-use their mercury, phosphorous, and glass and be making an even greater environmental contribution.
Thank you for your well-placed concerns. Please help us get the message on how to properly recycle these products to those you know. More information on locations that will safely dispose of mercury containing products can be found on this list or by calling the ME DEP at 1-800-452-1942.
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Utilities Commission