Bellinghams is demonstrating it’s environmental awereness by ranking #1 city in the nation for purchasing energy-efficient light bulbs. This new honor is given to us by the organizers of 18Seconds.org. To view Bellingham’s ranking, visit http://green.yahoo.com
The 18Seconds movement, named for the average time it takes to change a light bulb, is aimed at getting Americans to replace electricity-wasting incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
“What kind of difference can one CFL make? Consider this: If every American swapped just ONE bulb for an ENERGY STAR labeled CFL, it would collectively save more than $8 billion in energy costs, prevent burning 30 billion pounds of coal, and remove 2 million cars worth of greenhouse gas emissions from our atmosphere. Just imagine the difference we could make if we replaced all of the lights we use most!”
Walgreens has CFL bulbs for just $.19 each. You can’t even get an incandesent bulb for that price, so go get some and help keep Bellingham #1.
It is great to see that we in Bellingham are doing are part to save energy and combat global warming
By the way when these bulbs burn out they need to be recycled. “
All fluorescent lights contain trace amounts of mercury. But don’t worry — there is far less mercury in CFLs than in thermometers or old thermostats. Plus, using these bulbs helps prevent mercury from being released into the air from coal-powered power plants. When they burn out years down the road, recycle them.
Recycling burned-out CFLs is the best option. To find out if there are recycling options near you, call 1-800-CLEAN-UP for an automated hotline or visit earth911.org. (At the top of the earth911.org home page, enter your zip code and press “go.” Click on the “Household Hazardous Waste” link, then the “fluorescent bulbs” link. This page will identify the mercury recycling or disposal facilities nearest you.)
Alternately, you can check with the store where you bought your CFLs. More and more are recycling the old bulbs right there. Or contact your local government agency in charge of household hazard waste (start with your sanitation department) to see if recycling is an
option in your area. “
Info on recycling from Environmental Defense, excerpted from the Make the Switch bulb guide.