The Sustainable Evolution of the Light Bulb

Taking Small Steps

Jonathan StutzMAL 600 – Environmental Sustainability & Social Responsibility

the sustainable evolution of the light bulb

(LALED, 2013)

• Introduction• Advantages of compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs• Disadvantages of CFL bulbs• Advantages light emitting diode (LED) bulbs• Disadvantages of LED bulbs• Another sustainable lighting option: halogen bulbs• Cost-Benefit Analysis• Recycling of CFL and LED bulbs• References

Table of Contents

Introduction• Recently passed laws are phasing out

traditional incandescent light bulbs

• Alternative options include compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and light emitting diode (LED) bulbs

• In this presentation, you will learn how easy or difficult it is to transition to these alternatives from multiple perspectives• Advantages and disadvantages

• Other sustainable lighting options

• Cost/benefit analysis

• Recycling

(HomeDit, 2013)

Advantages of CFL bulbs

• “CFLs use about 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs

• Use about one-fourth the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs

• Offer the same brightness and colors as traditional incandescent bulbs” (U.S. Department of Energy, 2013)

(ThurstonTalk.com, 2013)

Disadvantages of CFL bulbs• “[CFL] bulbs contain

Mercury which is a highly toxic heavy metal which is especially dangerous for children & pregnant women” (EcoWise LED, 2013)

(EcoWise LED, 2013)

Advantages of LED bulbs

• “Compelling reasons to use LED bulbs:• Each LED light can last you 17 years

• You’ll save hundreds of dollars in electricity

• You’ll will be helping your health – and the environment

• LED lights are not annoying

• LED lighting is both extremely safe and durable” (LEDlightsandbulbs.com, 2010)

(iJDMToy.com, 2013)

Disadvantages of LED bulbs

• High upfront costs

• Voltage is low so light isn’t very bright

• Tend to ‘dim down’ after only 25% of their life span requiring you to change them more frequently (SparkNET, 2013)

(UrbanVision, 2013)

Another sustainable lighting option

• Halogen bulbs• Highly efficient

• Provide bright, white light

• Greater quantity of light and longer life as compared to regular incandescent bulbs

• Downside: Become hot and generate heat (Bulbs.com, 2013; Lighting Fixtures & Ceiling Fans, 2004)

(Public Domain)

Cost/benefit analysis• LED bulbs:

• Least expensive option over expected lifespan

• Use 11% of the energy of incandescent bulbs

• Highly cost efficient

(LEDBulbsandLights.com , 2010)

Cost/benefit analysis• LED wins!

• Contains no mercury

• No harmful UV emissions

• No flickering and quiet in operation

• Operates at a cool temperature

• Use solid state components – extremely durable and safe (LEDBulbsandLights.com, 2013)

(LEDBulbsandLights.com , 2010)

Recycling of CFL and LED bulbs

(Drummond House Plans.com, 2013)

• LED bulbs:• Don't contain mercury

• Aren’t considered a hazardous material so they may be safely recycled

• Some stores and recycling centers will take them, e.g., Batteries Plus (Bellevue-Factoria)

• CFL bulbs:• Contain mercury

• Are considered a hazardous material

• Most stores and recycling centers will take them for special processing

Closing thoughts

(Send Your Light Bulbs to Washington, 2013)

• CFL bulbs need to be safer to use and easier to recycle

• LED light bulbs need to become more affordable

• Consumers often left with more questions than answers

Amazon.com Inc, 2013. PAR 30 flood lamp. Retrieved on 2 September 2013 from http://www.amazon.com/TCP-LED14E26P3030KFL-Dimmable-14-Watt-PAR30/dp/B005DST2RG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378161954&sr=8-1&keywords=TCP+LED14E26P3030KFL+Dimmable+LED+14-Watt+PAR30+Flood+Lamp

Bulbs.com, 2013. Halogen bulbs. Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://www.bulbs.com/learning/halogen.aspx

Chipmunk Enterprises, LLC, 2010. LED light bulb recycling. Retrieved on 7 September 2013 from http://www.ledrecycling.net/

Design Recycle Inc, 2013. Comparison chart: LED lights vs. incandescent light bulbs vs. CFLs. Retrieved on 7 September 2013 from http://www.designrecycleinc.com/led%20comp%20chart.html

Drummond House Plans, 2013. Ten myths about the new energy-efficient CFL light bulbs. Retrieved on 31 August 203 from http://blog.drummondhouseplans.com/category/led/

Earth Friends, 2013. CFL versus incandescent. Retrieved on 7 September 2013 from http://www.earthsfriends.com/cfl-vs-incandescent

EcoWise LED, 2013. CFL bulbs: an everyday hazard. Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://www.ecowiseled.com/cfl-bulbs-an-everyday-hazard/

References

HomeDit, 2013. Learn How Much Energy Your Light Bulbs Help You Save (image, slide 3). Retrieved on 7 September 2013 from http://www.homedit.com/learn-how-much-energy-your-light-bulbs-help-you-save/

iJDMToy.com, 2013. Advantages of LED bulbs (image, slide 6). Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://store.ijdmtoy.com/

LALED, 2013. LED lighting that lights up your world (image, slide 1). Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://laledus.wordpress.com/

LED Lamps, 2013. LED vs CFL vs halogen. Retrieved on 7 September 2013 from http://www.led-lamps.net.au/led-energy-saving/led-vs-cfl-vs-halogen

LEDBulbsandLights.com, 2010. Compare the costs. Retrieved on 29 August 2013 from http://www.ledbulbsandlights.com/

Lighting Fixtures & Ceiling Fans, 2013. Halogen light bulbs. Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://www.lighting-fixtures-ceiling-fans.com/halogen_light_bulbs.html#bene

Los Angeles Times, 2013. Can I recycle…light bulbs? Retrieved on 7 September 2013 from http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2011/05/can-i-recycle-light-bulbs.html

Puget Sound Energy, 2013. Energy efficient lighting rebates and programs. Retrieved on 2 September 2013 from http://www.pse.com/savingsandenergycenter/ForHomes/Pages/Lighting.aspx

References, cont’d

Send Your Light Bulbs to Washington, 2013. David Laibson editorial cartoon (image, slide 12). Retrieved on 7 September 2013 from http://sendyourlightbulbstowashington.wordpress.com/

SparkNET, 2013. Advantages and disadvantages for LED light. Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://ezinearticles.com/?Advantages-and-Disadvantages-For-LED-Light-Bulbs&id=2570698

Thurston Talk, 2013. CFL bulb recycling (image, slide 4). Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://www.thurstontalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/light-bulb-recycling.jpg

U.S. Department of Energy, 2013. Fluorescent lighting. Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/fluorescent-lighting

U.S. Department of Energy, 2013. LEDs: the future of lighting is here. Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/leds-future-lighting-here

U.S. Department of Energy, 2013. Tips: lighting. Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/tips-lighting

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2013. Recycling and disposal after a CFL burns out. Retrieved on 7 September 2013 from http://www2.epa.gov/cfl/recycling-and-disposal-after-cfl-burns-out#important

Urban Vision, 2013. Salford’s LED street lighting retrofit (image, slide 7). Retrieved on 31 August 2013 from http://www.urbanvision.org.uk/projects/highways-and-infrastructure/salford-street-lighting-retrofit-programme/

References, cont’d