Recycle-ability

 Navigation

How easy is it to recycle light bulbs and their packaging?

Home

Details of the effects of recycling bulbs are discussed under “Recycling Debate” at the bottom of this page.

The materials and the packaging were examined to test how environmentally friendly the product was.

The total surface area of the packaging was measured and the materials used in each type of bulb were studied to find out about the recycle-ability/eco-friendliness of each material.

Bulb Recycle-ability

	Philips 20W Tornado	Ecobulb Brand 20W	Elite 20W Spiral	Switch 20W	Philips 100W
Material Friendliness	Contains mercury and phosphors which have negative effects on health and the environment especially when disposed of incorrectly	Contains mercury and phosphors which have negative effects on health and the environment especially when disposed of incorrectly	Contains mercury and phosphors which have negative effects on health and the environment especially when disposed of incorrectly	Contains mercury and phosphors which have negative effects on health and the environment especially when disposed of incorrectly	low amount of materials used, manufacturing process friendly, materials used also friendly
Recycle-ability	no way of recycling these in NZ yet	no way of recycling these in NZ yet	no way of recycling these in NZ yet	no way of recycling these in NZ yet	easy to recycle, much less hazardous if disposed of wrongly

Packaging Recycle-ability

	Philips 20W Tornado	Ecobulb Brand 20W	Elite 20W Spiral	Switch 20W	Philips 100W
recyclable content (cm^2)	792.29.	933.2.	794.0.	591.25	308.7.
non-recyclable content (cellophane) (cm^2)	0.	0.	371.25.	0.	0.

Recycling Debate

There are many different ways of recycling/disposing of CFLs, but which is the most environmentally friendly?

Local Recycling

(Interwaste NZ recycles CFLs in NZ)

Pros: * Cost of shipping overseas reduced

* Exactly what happens to the wastes/recycled materials known

* Fossil fuels use is significantly less shipping locally

* Minimal mercury from bulbs released into environment

* Fossil fuels use in recycling process less

Cons: *High cost to the consumer as no business competition

*Our country has to deal with any wastes/left over toxic chemicals

International Recycling

(CFLs can be sent to China for recycling)

Pros: * Cheap labour overseas means lower consumer costs

* Minimal mercury from bulbs released into environment

Cons: * Cost of shipping overseas is expensive

* What happens to wastes/recycled materials uncertain

* Fossil fuels use is significantly less shipping locally meaning mercury/CO₂ emissions are higher for overseas shipment

No Recycling/Using Incandescent Lamps

Pros: * no cost to the consumer from shipping/actual recycling cost

*Materials in Incandescent lamps don't need recycling/cannot be recycled so ‘ no recycling cost

Cons: * Mercury from the bulb released into and trapped in the environment in a concentrated region causing damage to living things.

*Using incandescent lamps is less energy efficient

*Incandescent bulbs cannot really be recycled at all

Better Bulbs?

Light/Cost Efficiency

Suitability

Retail Prices

Recycle-ability

Radio Interference

Box Claims

“The Science Behind It”

Mercury/Phosphor Effects

Glossary

Further Reading