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A Brighter Idea
How many environmental engineers does it take to screw in an advanced energy-saving light bulb? Answer: None. You can do it all by yourself, with a measure of caution.
Replace a standard incandescent light bulb with an Energy Star Compact Fluorescent Light or CFL and spend 75 percent less energy. The new light lasts up to 10 times longer (approximately 10,000 hours) than the standard bulb. In the end, you’ll save at least thirty bucks per CFL and have more green in your wallet.
According to the EPA-sponsored Energy Star web site, if every American household replaced one single bulb with an approved CFL, in one year we would save enough energy collectively to light more than three million homes and prevent greenhouse emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars!
Caution: Because CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury, it is important to handle them carefully to avoid breakage and also to dispose of them with care.
IKEA stores will recycle the lights for you. Baltimore’s recycling coordinator is working toward a local city-provided recycling option for coming months.
The EPA is currently working with CFL manufacturers and retailers to expand recycling options as well. For more information, see energystar.gov.
Pictured is a quadruple-orb rock crystal lamp available exclusively at Jones Lighting Specialists, $3150—rock crystal is a rare, semi-translucent mineral from which the very first crystal chandeliers were created. Jones Lighting 1010 York Road (410) 828-1010