NYSERDA Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Agency contacts: Gayle Dougherty (gayle@haggman.com) 
                           978-525-3742
                           Mary Ingram-Schatz (mary@haggman.com)
                           212-600-4469

NYSERDA Spokesperson: Colleen Ryan (cqr@nyserda.org)
                                        866-NYSERDA ext. 3359            

LIPA Spokesperson: Ed Dumas (edumas@lipower.org)
                               516-525-LIPA

State promotes use of energy-efficient lighting; announces plan to help New Yorkers recycle CFLs

NYSERDA, NYSDEC and LIPA work to create a network of collection centers for proper disposal of old bulbs

Albany, New York – June 27, 2008:

As more and more people look for more ways to “go green,” the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) kicked off an effort to promote the use of energy efficient lighting and to create a network of collection centers to help consumers properly dispose of old CFLs.   CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy.  ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs help reduce power plant pollution associated with energy production.

Because of their energy saving properties, CFLs are becoming more widely used in households, and it is important that consumers become aware that CFLs should be handled and disposed of properly

to avoid any unnecessary mercury releases.  Homeowners should also know that if a CFL is accidentally broken, a small amount of mercury may be released and proper cleanup guidance should be followed to prevent any potential health impacts.   NYSERDA, NYSDEC, and LIPA strongly recommend that ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs, with their small amount of mercury, be used and that CFLs be collected and recycled. Most businesses are required to recycle their spent CFLs or otherwise properly manage their waste.  There are already 16 partners signed up for the program and interest continues to grow (see list of partners).

“No mercury is released when a CFL is in use,” said Bob Callender, Vice President of Programs for NYSERDA. “Proper recycling ensures the benefits of CFLs while ensuring complete safety.  We are very proud to have been a part of this important environmental step forward into the future, and we thank our partners at Wolberg Electric Supply Company for hosting our CFL recycling program kickoff.”

Through this program, NYSERDA, NYSDEC, and LIPA hope to provide a convenient recycling opportunity for households to properly manage their old CFLs and reduce one of the sources of mercury from entering the environment, according to NYSDEC Commissioner Pete Grannis.
 
“Lighting efficiency saves energy, in turn reducing the pollution that causes smog, acid rain, and global warming,” said Grannis.  “We strongly encourage greater use of CFLs and expect that New York businesses will step up to provide consumers with safe and convenient ways to managethese bulbs to prevent mercury pollution.”

NYSERDA and LIPA will provide training and marketing materials to businesses and organizations that sign up to become CFL collection centers. Additionally, NYSERDA will post and promote all of the CFL collection centers on its web site.

“Replacing incandescent bulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs is the easiest, lowest cost, and quickest way to cut electric use and lower electric bills,” said LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law. “LIPA supports the proper disposal and recycling of CFL light bulbs and with our collective efforts will help provide training to businesses and organizations that participate in the collection of used bulbs.”

Collection centers will be required to train employees in the proper handling of used CFLs, accept only whole CFLs, and provide labeling, storage and transportation of CFLs as approved under DEC’s Universal Waste Rule.

For more information about becoming a CFL collection center, or participating in NYSERDA’s residential energy efficiency programs, visit www.GetEnergySmart.org or call 1-877-NY-SMART (1-877-697-6278).   For more information on CFL collection centers on Long Island visit the LIPA Web site at www.lipower.org or call 1-877-654-5472.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) uses innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult energy and environmental problems in ways that improve the State's economy.

LIPA has continued to serve Long Island’s growing population with a consistent commitment to cost- containment, efficiency and service reliability.

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CFL Recycling Collection Centers as of June 26, 2008