CFLs, Mercury and Mayhem! The Energy Efficiency Community Responds

Panel: Market Transformation: Taking Efficiency Mainstream

Authors:
Vicki Fulbright Calwell, Ecos Consulting
Peter Banwell, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Abstract

For years the energy efficiency community has grappled with the issue of mercury in compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), but several recent events catapulted it from a minor frustration to a major topic of concern. First, Wal-Mart announced its intention to sell 100 million CFLs, which by its dramatic scale provided product stewardship advocates and Wal-Mart critics the opportunity to highlight the issue. Second, policy actions to phase-out incandescent lamps were announced. But the nightmare really began when the Bangor Daily News published an account of a $2,000 clean-up fee for a broken CFL in a woman's Maine home. Although the paper quickly recanted the story, investigations by numerous other local, national and international media outlets were already in motion. Questions shifted from proper clean up to lack of recycling options. Misinformation was rampant and energy efficiency advocates were on trial in the public eye to provide answers. Subject complexity makes it difficult to quickly and easily discuss this issue with consumers; consequently, offering a convenient recycling option is the easiest communications strategy. However, funding is a primary challenge since - unlike other products and materials that consumers recycle - CFLs have little market value. The purpose of this paper is to provide context around the mercury issue and identify the best and most appropriate methods for utility participation. Further, we discuss why the energy efficiency community should consider human health and environmental impacts from the manufacture, use and/or end-of-life disposal of other emerging technologies when developing market transformation/resource acquisition programs.