Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) outperform standard incandescent bulbs by substantially cutting down energy usage and costs. Low impact on the environment and reduced costs have made the use of CFLs in commercial operations a win-win purchasing decision. However CFLs do contain mercury, so what's the maintenance department to do with the bulbs when they eventually burn out?
Reduce | Reuse | Recycle | Facilities
How do I go green?
Reduce
Light Emitting Diode (LED) light bulbs last up to 10 times longer than CFLs, do not contain mercury and are competitively priced against CFLs. These bulbs are made up of dozens of clusters of individual LEDs. They come in many sizes and shapes functional for all types of household light fixtures and may soon overtake CFLs in the commercial market.
Reuse
There are few practical options for reuse of CFLs so please take them to a facility that accepts CFLs for safe processing.
Recycle
The BC Recycling Regulation requires a product stewardship program to be in place by for recycling commercial, institutional or industrial fluorescent lights by July 1, 2012. Please go to LightRecycle for more information. The LightRecycle program is currently for residential quantities only.
You may return your used bulbs to a recycling facility listed below. You may also be able to return your bulbs to the point of purchase. Many commercial suppliers will take back bulbs on delivery of replacements.
Facilities
Hetherington Industries Ltd.
4715 Roger Street, Port Alberni
Port Alberni
1-800-563-6004
Home Depot
2400 Millstream and 3986 Shelbourne
Victoria
250-391-6000
Nu Life Industries Inc.
1 - 3347 262 Street, Aldergrove
Aldergrove
1-800-247-6724
reFUSE (Commercial and Residential)
2111 Government Street
Victoria
250-381-6007
The Environmental Story
CFLs last 10 times longer and use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs. The precious and toxic trace amount of mercury within, the glass tubes and ballast are all recyclable and require proper disposal.
Did You Know?
Mercury exposure can be highly toxic to the nervous system and kidneys – producing symptoms such as anxiety and depression – and may also affect memory, thinking, and nerve function with possible tremors and reduced coordination. Pregnant women and women of childbearing years need to be especially careful since some studies have shown that when women have higher levels of methylmercury exposure from eating marine mammals, their children have been found to have lower intelligence scores, delayed verbal and motor skills, impaired hearing, and poor coordination. The United Nations estimates that mercury toxicity has caused learning disabilities and impaired the nervous system of millions of children worldwide.
Save the Date!
This year, Hartland Happening is on Sunday June 24th.
10:30 am to 3:00 pm
Click here for more details
Questions? Call the CRD Hotline.
We can answer your questions on the Hartland landfill, composting, household hazardous waste, recycling and more!
t: 250.360.3030
toll-free: 1.800.663.4425 #3030
Go blue. It's the right thing to do.
Use CRD Blue Boxes & Bags at the curb.