Home Depot Launches CFL Take-Back Program

U.S. sales of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have almost doubled from 2006 to 2007, and the lamps now account for more than 20% of lightbulbs sold. But while compact fluorescent lamps are an big improvement over traditional incandescent bulbs in terms of energy use, recycling of the bulbs—necessary to recapture their mercury content—has been weak. Only about 2% of CFLs are recycled, according to estimates, compared to about 30% of fluorescent tubes in commercial or industrial use. A CFL take-back program announced by Home Depot in July 2008 could improve that rate significantly.

Regulations vary from state to state, and some local recycling programs exist. Some other retailers sponsor ongoing or occasional CFL collections. But as the largest home improvement chain in the U.S., with 1,973 stores and 75% of U.S. households within ten miles of one of them, Home Depot is likely to be the most convenient drop-off point for many CFL users. The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), which has been developing a plan to improve the handling of fluorescent lamps, praised Home Depot’s launch of the program. PSI, which has helped Ace Hardware stores in several states with take-back programs, considers retailers to be one of the most promising avenues for increasing recycling rates.

U.S. sales of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have almost doubled from 2006 to 2007, and the lamps now account for more than 20% of lightbulbs sold. But while compact fluorescent lamps are an big improvement over traditional incandescent bulbs in terms of energy use, recycling of the bulbs—necessary to recapture their mercury content—has been weak. Only about 2% of CFLs are recycled, according to estimates, compared to about 30% of fluorescent tubes in commercial or industrial use. A CFL take-back program announced by Home Depot in July 2008 could improve that rate significantly.

Regulations vary from state to state, and some local recycling programs exist. Some other retailers sponsor ongoing or occasional CFL collections. But as the largest home improvement chain in the U.S., with 1,973 stores and 75% of U.S. households within ten miles of one of them, Home Depot is likely to be the most convenient drop-off point for many CFL users. The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), which has been developing a plan to improve the handling of fluorescent lamps, praised Home Depot’s launch of the program. PSI, which has helped Ace Hardware stores in several states with take-back programs, considers retailers to be one of the most promising avenues for increasing recycling rates.

Life-cycle analysis indicates that even though incandescent bulbs do not contain mercury, they account for much more mercury released into the environment than CFLs due to their greater power consumption and the fact that mercury is emitted when coal is burned to generate electricity. Even so, while each CFL contains just 5 mg of mercury or less, a volume about that of the tip of a ballpoint pen, the mercury in all the Energy Star-rated CFLs sold in 2007 adds up to more than 1,000 kg.

– Michael Wilmeth

For more information:

Product Stewardship Institute

www.productstewardship.us

Home Depot

corporate.homedepot.com