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jambutty · 27-09-2007, 19:05

Hilary Benn has declared that by 2011 all normal old fashioned hot filament light bulbs will be extinct in the UK having been replaced by the new fangled energy saving light bulbs. Thus saving us some 5 million tons of CO2 per year. Or was that 5 billion? (My short term memory is getting worse)

I have no argument with the claim that the LE bulbs use less electricity than the hot filament counterpart because I have proved it with a simple experiment at home. And a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb last about ten times longer than an incandescent type. So they are cost effective to buy and use even if the light isn’t quite as bright.

What bothers me is the cost of the disposal of the LE bulbs.

As I understand it these LE bulbs, like the fluorescent tubes, are coated with phosphor on the inside of the glass and filled with argon and a small bit of mercury. I also understand that you cannot just chuck a fluorescent tube on the tip – it has to be disposed of by a specialist disposal company.

I wonder what the carbon footprint is for that activity and has it been taken into account by all those people advocating that the LE bulbs are the saviour of the planet - at least in part.

Or are we being led up the garden path?

27-09-2007, 19:05	#1
jambutty Apprentice Geriatric Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Darwen, Lancashire Posts: 3,706 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 89	Let There Be Light. Hilary Benn has declared that by 2011 all normal old fashioned hot filament light bulbs will be extinct in the UK having been replaced by the new fangled energy saving light bulbs. Thus saving us some 5 million tons of CO2 per year. Or was that 5 billion? (My short term memory is getting worse) I have no argument with the claim that the LE bulbs use less electricity than the hot filament counterpart because I have proved it with a simple experiment at home. And a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb last about ten times longer than an incandescent type. So they are cost effective to buy and use even if the light isn’t quite as bright. What bothers me is the cost of the disposal of the LE bulbs. As I understand it these LE bulbs, like the fluorescent tubes, are coated with phosphor on the inside of the glass and filled with argon and a small bit of mercury. I also understand that you cannot just chuck a fluorescent tube on the tip – it has to be disposed of by a specialist disposal company. I wonder what the carbon footprint is for that activity and has it been taken into account by all those people advocating that the LE bulbs are the saviour of the planet - at least in part. Or are we being led up the garden path? __________________ Thanks for reading. If you have a few minutes to spare please visit my web site at http://popye.bravehost.com