The treated lamps are stored in drums and transported to a permitted hazardous landfill site. Their technology involves the crushing of the lamps in a chemical solution to immobilize the mercury. The bins are regularly removed by Nova Lighting for disposal in accordance with all relevant South African legislation, ensuring that these used bulbs pose no threat to the environment.’įurthermore, Lumino, an emerging fluorescent lamp recycling company is treating and disposing fluorescent lamps. ‘The collection bin has been specially designed to ensure that there is no danger of CFL lamp breakage. ‘We have bins in about forty stores around South Africa and plan to expand the collection network soon,’ says Smith. Initiatives by, among others, Woolworths and Pick ‘n Pay stores are making the correct disposal of light bulbs very convenient by placing special recycling bins in some of their stores. But we have to be eco-wise when it comes to responsibly disposing of potentially harmful materials. They are using the naturally occurring key ingredients zinc and manganese dioxide instead which, when disposed in conventional waste methods, converts itself to various salts of zinc and manganese which act as micronutrients for the soil.Įnergy saving light bulbs and rechargeable batteries are still the better and more responsible options. However, proudly South African endorsed battery manufacturers Eveready have stopped using mercury in their batteries. In the past all ordinary zinc batteries contained fairly high doses of mercury. There is some good news concerning batteries. But considering the amount of mercury that accumulates on waste sites, if light bulbs are thoughtlessly disposed of in household trash, is different. It is perhaps comforting to know that the light bulbs in our homes pose no direct threat. In the case of accidental breakage, the amount of mercury inside an individual lamp is too small to cause any health risk, but it is still good practice to minimize any unnecessary exposure to mercury, as well as risk of cuts from glass fragments,’ says Woolworths sustainability manager Justin Smith. ‘Intact CFL’s emit no mercury and pose absolutely no health risk. However according to an article published by Eskom the mercury content in a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) should not be a cause for concern for the individual home owner, while in use, as it contains less than 5 milligrams of mercury – less than a watch battery. It is therefore essential to make sure we dispose of light bulbs and batteries correctly in order to prevent exposure to these toxins. The fish ends up on our plates still containing the mercury, as it can’t be removed by any cooking process. Fish can absorb methyl mercury from their food and directly from water as it passes over their gills. However, when mercury enters bodies of water, biological processes transform it to methyl mercury, a highly toxic and bio-accumalitive form. Elemental mercury can be absorbed through the skin and can cause allergic reactions as a result of mild exposure. Light bulbs and batteries contain dangerous metals like mercury and cadmium that if allowed to leach into the soil and groundwater can pose serious concerns to the health of humans and ecosystems. But all is not fluorescent light and roses if one doesn’t take the time to educate oneself concerning the proper way to dispose these products and the dangers of taking the necessary measures too lightly. We’ve all heard countless times how important it is to switch from normal incandescent light bulbs to energy saving ones and from zinc batteries to rechargeable ones. This cool design illustrates a recycling method for old light bulbs.
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