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56 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, May 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 11, 2004 Pacific Power�s Monte Mendenhall says those free compact-fluorescent bulbs, given to consumers during the 2001 power scare, will need to be recycled when they staring burning out in the next few years. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Bright ideas could lessen impact of bulb disposal By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune More than 90,000 energy-efficient light bulbs distributed in Jackson County during a 2001 power scare will begin to burn out during the next few years, prompting worries about recycling of the mercury-laden lamps. Pacific Power officials, along with utilities and public interest groups across Oregon, are exploring options to ensure that household disposal of compact fluorescent bulbs doesn’t boost environmental levels of the toxic metal. "What they’re talking about doing is putting together a pilot recycling program and rolling it out," said Monte Mendenhall, regional community manager for Pacific Power. In 2001, when spiking electrical costs prompted rolling blackouts in the West, about 2 million Oregon consumers were given compact fluorescent bulbs, which use about one-quarter of the energy of traditional incandescents. In Jackson County, Pacific Power and the city of Ashland sent two coupons apiece to more than 90,000 household users. That translated into about 80,000 bulbs for Pacific Power customers, and about 12,000 bulbs for Ashland customers who redeemed their coupons, officials said. Advertisement The fluorescent bulbs last 10 times longer than a typical bulb, or about five to seven years, Mendenhall said. That means that within the next few years, thousands of bulbs will begin to burn out. The problem is, each compact fluorescent bulb contains about 5 milligrams of mercury, a persistent environmental pollutant. "By comparison, there are 500 milligrams in a thermometer, so it’s a lot less, but it’s still a concern," Mendenhall said. "Even very small amounts of mercury add up in the food chain." Mercury, an element that is a toxic heavy metal in its pure form, disperses into the environment and accumulates in body tissues as large animals consume smaller animals. When people eat poisoned animals, most often fish, they can suffer problems ranging from impaired vision, coordination and mental problems to brain damage and even death. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to high concentrations of mercury. Disposal of fluorescent lamps puts about 210 pounds of mercury into Oregon’s environment annually, according to the state Department of Environmental Quality. Only about 20 percent of some 6 million fluorescent lights disposed of each year are recycled. In Oregon, commercial enterprises are required to recycle mercury-containing fluorescent lamps, but it’s not against the law for households to dispose of the lights in their ordinary trash. However, agencies such as Rogue Disposal and Ashland Sanitary Service do not accept fluorescent lights or compact fluorescent bulbs, even on hazardous waste disposal days. "We want to encourage consumers to recycle them," said Denise Wolgamott, Rogue Disposal’s recycling coordinator. To recycle the bulbs in Jackson County, consumers must take them to American Appliance Recyclers in White City. The business charges 25 cents a foot to recycle fluorescent lights or 25 cents apiece for the compact fluorescent bulbs, said Mike Nolan, vice president. Oregon power companies, along with the DEQ, environmental groups and some retailers, have spent a year talking about potential recycling programs, Mendenhall said. Nationally, Minnesota is the only state with a developed fluorescent bulb recycling program. With the help of the advocacy agency Zero Waste Alliance, interested Oregon parties are exploring that model, he added. It still will be a couple of years before those compact bulbs begin burning out, Mendenhall noted. Before then, the job will be to continue to encourage residents not only to use energy-efficient bulbs, but also to dispose of them properly when they’re done. "It’s so important to pull together a program that consumers will participate in," Mendenhall said. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times