Clean Wisconsin members ask: Is the mercury contained in compact fluorescent light bulbs a deterrent to using them?

Wisconsin consumers can take a simple and easy step to reduce their personal contributions to global warming by switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).

"National studies show that compact fluorescent lights use two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer," says Suzanne Bangert, director of the Department of Natural Resources Waste and Materials Management program. Bangert notes that in addition to energy savings, switching to compact fluorescent lights can save money and be more convenient.

"Replacing a 60-watt incandescent with a 13-watt CFL can save you at least $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. Because they last longer they help homeowners avoid the hassle of changing bulbs and, since they generate 70 percent less heat, they are safer to operate and save on cooling bills," Bangert says.

While there is concern about the mercury — a contaminant and poses a threat to human health and the environment — contained in CFLs, Bangert says that overall they are a better choice for the health of the environment.

"There is a trade-off," Bangert says, "but the benefits are clear. By switching to CFLs we use less energy, resulting in a net reduction in mercury emissions. Each CFL can prevent more than 450 pounds of emissions from a power plant over the lifetime of the bulb while the mercury in a CFL is contained and can be safely recycled."

Bangert said CFLs from businesses and, ideally, households should be treated as hazardous waste once they reach the end of their long life. For households, Bangert advises people check to see if local stores have a take back programs for CFLs. People can check the Energy Star Web site (www.energystar.gov) for stores that take back CFLs or Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Program's Web site for product/service provider information (www.focusonenergy.com).

If no local stores are part of the program, you can call your local hazardous waste collection site or Clean Sweep program to see if they accept them. If the bulb is broken, place the entire contents in a sealable plastic bag. If there are no other options, the sealed bag can go into the garbage. Bangert also said there is confusion about the green-tipped 'green' CFLs. "The CFLs that have a green band near the base are a good step in the right direction. They're made with less mercury but mercury is still present. These bulbs should be treated the same way as the other CFLs," she said.

Clean Wisconsin agrees it is clear the positives strongly outweigh the negatives when it comes to switching to CFLs.