Nation-wide ban of 'old' light bulbs

[kajan23]

http://www.thestar.com/images/assets/214903_3.JPG

"It will soon be lights out for incandescent light bulbs.

The Ontario government said Wednesday it plans to ban the current bulbs and what it calls other inefficient lighting technologies by 2012 in an effort to reduce the province's electricity consumption and lower the greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

"It's the equivalent of taking 250,000 cars off the road," said Environment Minister Laurel Broten."

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/204500

Update:

The federal government declared a Canada-wide ban on the sale of inefficient lightbulbs on Thursday, pledging to eliminate them entirely in Canada within five years.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070425/lightbulb_ban_070425/20070425?hub=CTVNewsAt11

[sandeeS]

Good. about time.

Now they should enforce and stop wast of energy in apartments.
Many time I see the lights turned on in buildings all day in rental apartments.
Just have a look around when driving on DVP/404 from Finch to York Mills.

[vsavka]

its not just aparents, but corporate stores, they have lights on all freakin night long, what a waste of money, and yet the government wants us, the society to consume energy, im paying for it i do whatever the hell i want. why dont they rant at the corporates regarding consumption.

BTW Australia already banned the old light bulbs long time ago.

[kajan23]

In defense for corporate buildings... apparently they keep the lights on as a defense mechanism from looters and stuff. I don't know how true that is... but it's what I've heard. But yeah... i agree total waste of energy.

[lister]

The big problem with switching is the safe disposal of the CFLs. When the public finds out what a hassle it is to drop off the bulbs (time & locations) I suspect the CFLs will wind up in the regular trash.

[sandeeS]

In defense for corporate buildings... apparently they keep the lights on as a defense mechanism from looters and stuff. I don't know how true that is... but it's what I've heard. But yeah... i agree total waste of energy.

My office in downtown lights are switched off automatically after office hours.
You need to inform security if i work late and keep the lights on. Each person is given the codes for those areas.


its not just aparents, but corporate stores, they have lights on all freakin night long, what a waste of money, and yet the government wants us, the society to consume energy, im paying for it i do whatever the hell i want. why dont they rant at the corporates regarding consumption.

BTW Australia already banned the old light bulbs long time ago.

Feb 2007 is not that long.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6378161.stm

[ji2o0k]

I have noticed with the new efficient lighbulbs, you can't have them enclosed in any type of enclosure because they die out quickly (I guess from the high temperatures).

It is great that the high efficient lightbulbs save energy but how about disposal of these things? Do these new lightbulbs have to be disposed of in any special manner? Are they worse for the environment than the "old light bulb" ?

I know they save more energy so less will be disposed of in the long run but still those are some thoughts I am thinking about.

[nano]

this blows cfl's don't work with dimmers

[CSK'sMom]

I agree with vsavka in regards to the big corporate office towers. Just look at any major cities skyline at night. :evil: I know in TO there has been a camaign for several years aimed at the large towers trying to get them to turn off the lights because of migratory birds. It doesn't seem to be working though and I highly doubt anything will get them to turn the lights off....

On a side note, I wish the price of CFL compatible dimmers would drop. I would gladly change my kitchen chandelier over to CFL bulbs if the compatible dimmer switch wasn't so damn expensive!

[go leafs]

edit: see above post

[df329]

i think cfl just need new ballasts to work w/ dimmers?

what about that whole argument of the extra heat from incands means less heating required for the house? :razz:

[hooch]

Just wait until the Hydro companies up their rates once we all switch to CFLs to make up for their loss in revenue. Oh wait, they already have!

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/toronto/story.html?id=a4cc0575-e846-408a-9c84-0f47880330ff

So we won't be able to effectively use dimmers, pay the same for our hydro bills, the hydro companies will make more money, the CFL manufacturing companies will make more money (While CFLs do last longer, they have a longer period of time in which to break. I've had CFLs last 6 months before), and the electricians will make a share from refitting homes.

How is this supposed to help the environment?

[UrbanPoet]

leaving lights on with big open windows is a deterrent to crime.
When everyone can see loud and clear whats going on inside no1s gonna rob the place..
offices have valuables like LCD monitors, and computers. Good stuff to loot and steal.
its a concept of CPTED in the law enforcement and security work.

[abu_sme]

This is right on the heels of GE announcing the development of an incandescent that is as efficient as a CFL.

[Madchester]

BTW Australia already banned the old light bulbs long time ago.

Actually it was only a month or two ago that the phase out was proposed. Even they are aiming for a 2010 adoption target.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incandescent_light_bulb#Proposals_to_outlaw)

I was reading about it online and was wondering when Canada would follow suit.

[UrbanPoet]

Good. about time.

Now they should enforce and stop wast of energy in apartments.
Many time I see the lights turned on in buildings all day in rental apartments.
Just have a look around when driving on DVP/404 from Finch to York Mills.

what pisses me off is the people that leave their window a/c on non-stop b/c their electricity is all inclusive/flat rate b/c its subsidized housing... grrr..

[JAC]

Better stock up. CFLs just don't work in some cases, like my garage door opener. And I don't like the way the plastic melts when they fail...that concerns me.

[UrbanPoet]

i never had a problem with CFL's
been using them for i think 3 years now... I never had any melt on me. I've had one that failed prematurely and it wasnt even enclosed. Must have been a defect. Otherwise... I never had a problem with them besides being more expensive.

[Kasakato]

I have noticed with the new efficient lighbulbs, you can't have them enclosed in any type of enclosure because they die out quickly (I guess from the high temperatures).

It is great that the high efficient lightbulbs save energy but how about disposal of these things? Do these new lightbulbs have to be disposed of in any special manner? Are they worse for the environment than the "old light bulb" ?

I know they save more energy so less will be disposed of in the long run but still those are some thoughts I am thinking about.

Its the opposite. Incandescent bulbs wasted 90% of the energy they consumed as it was turned into heat. CPLs turn about 70% of their energy into usable light, making them cooler. I have never seen a totally enclosed light fixture (air tight). There always should be a vent for heat regardless of the type of bulb being used. CPL bulbs should work in any fixture.


this blows cfl's don't work with dimmers

Special CPLs work in dimmer enabled devices. The ballets is different. The only problem is they cost more.

[cipher]

MY issue with CCFL is that they don't last anywhere near as long as claimed on the box. They burn out and in a bad way too. I've had two Noma CCFL lights die and both times that emitted a lot of smoke and electrical burning smell.

[gordholio]

The big problem with switching is the safe disposal of the CFLs. When the public finds out what a hassle it is to drop off the bulbs (time & locations) I suspect the CFLs will wind up in the regular trash.

Yeah, it's too bad because these new fluorescent bulbs have mercury in them.
I guess it's not a big deal since mercury is in vaccines. :confused:
Kind of replacing one problem with perhaps a bigger one?

[Kasakato]

MY issue with CCFL is that they don't last anywhere near as long as claimed on the box. They burn out and in a bad way too. I've had two Noma CCFL lights die and both times that emitted a lot of smoke and electrical burning smell.

Your using decorative light to light your house?

[cipher]

Your using decorative light to light your house?

I don't understand what you're getting at. I'm using Noma CCFL (Compact Cold-Fluorescent lamps) from Canadian Tire in my house.

They look like this...

http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/products/images/ManualAdd/2005/345/0525192_450_CC_4e1df.jpg

[Kasakato]

I don't understand what you're getting at. I'm using Noma CCFL (Compact Cold-Fluorescent lamps) from Canadian Tire in my house.

They look like this...
]
CCFL stands for cold cathode fluorescent lamps. They are the skinny tube ones used in LCDs and computers.

Those are CFLs- compact fluorescent lights.

[felix]

Its the opposite. Incandescent bulbs wasted 90% of the energy they consumed as it was turned into heat. CPLs turn about 70% of their energy into usable light, making them cooler. I have never seen a totally enclosed light fixture (air tight). There always should be a vent for heat regardless of the type of bulb being used. CPL bulbs should work in any fixture.

The light fixtures used in new condo buildings I've seen in Toronto area is completely enclosed. They are the circular kinds with silver or gold lining and a cover over it. They are cheap but look alright. I saw them sold at Home Depot also.

[wasserkool]

Yay to my natural white Globe CFLs! They are the best light i've used so far. It emits excellent white light with good color rendition.

Even my local walmart is removing the walls of incandescent light to replace them with GE and Globe CFLs!

[cloneman]

My biggest gripe with the new non-incandescent lights is that they emit noise, whereas incandescent are truly silent

Maybe mine are cheap? I don't know.

Any noise emitted by light fixtures is too much.

[ephemera]

So whatever other countries are doing, Canada must copy.

How about banning coal? Cigarettes? Oil/Gas? Trans-fats? Red Meat?

I am sure like everything else this new BAN will have plenty of LOOPHOLES in it. So the regular Joe sixpack gets the shaft again.

[don242]

We have replaced most every lightbulb with CFLs years back. The cost is a little more to purchase but if you wait for the sales they aren't actually that much. Hopefully by eliminating regular light bulbs, this will bring the price down for CFLs since this will be more mass produced. Still using them in some fixtures such as low use lights, just doesn't seem practical.

[P__S__2]

If they wanna conserve energy then they should start by turing off all the lights inside schools during summer time.

Sure theirs caretakers in there working some days, but after there done atleast turn them all off...Makes no sense leaving it on.

[Paolo]

wow i better start stocking up on old incandescent bulbs//

[Kasakato]

My biggest gripe with the new non-incandescent lights is that they emit noise, whereas incandescent are truly silent

Maybe mine are cheap? I don't know.

Any noise emitted by light fixtures is too much.

Iv never heard anything from my CFLs. Maybe theres too much voltage on the socket?

[UrbanPoet]

Iv never heard anything from my CFLs. Maybe theres too much voltage on the socket?

they make noises when they are about to die!

[abu_sme]

It doesn't make sense to ban all of them.

A few places where it would be stupid/impossible to replace the bulbs are
-Inside your fridge, it is probably on, what a couple of hours a year?
-Inside your oven

[gordholio]

It doesn't make sense to ban all of them.

A few places where it would be stupid/impossible to replace the bulbs are
-Inside your fridge, it is probably on, what a couple of hours a year?
-Inside your oven

It's pretty difficult to ban something like this. Is it really worth it either?
But when has the government made any sense?
The original title should read "incandescent", not "old" by the way.

[gmark2000]

A little mercury in the landfill is harmless compared to the global warming... ;)

[dmdsoftware2]

And what are we suppose to use in our bathrooms? CFL light bulbs are not designed to be used in humid environments.

[ghostryder]

MY issue with CCFL is that they don't last anywhere near as long as claimed on the box. They burn out and in a bad way too. I've had two Noma CCFL lights die and both times that emitted a lot of smoke and electrical burning smell.

Don't buy cheap crap. The shortest life CFL I have had lasted 6 yrs. The longest 13, and it was on min 10 hours per day.

GE, Phillips and Sylvania bulbs have all been good for me.

[ghostryder]

its not just aparents, but corporate stores

It's not like the night stocking crews at Canadian tire or Walmart need to see what they are doing :cheesygri

[gman]

I have never seen a totally enclosed light fixture (air tight). There always should be a vent for heat regardless of the type of bulb being used. CPL bulbs should work in any fixture.


Almost all the light fixtures that came with my house are dome like. One in family room, at least one in each bedroom. There is no obvious vent I can see unless you consider the wire hole to the ceiling is kind of a vent. And, the CFL that has the same brightness does not fix. That is I cannot close the cover if I put them in.

I also had some CFL bulbs melt too.

[ZenOps]

Doh, the price of CFL's might go up because of this. Better stock up now.

Good thing I have a nice stock of old 21" Trinitron CRT's. Can't stand the LCD's with CCFL's inside - Staring at a flickering light source all day is terrible on the eyes.

[IronMac]

And what are we suppose to use in our bathrooms? CFL light bulbs are not designed to be used in humid environments.

I don't know how humid your bathroom is but my CFLs have been working fine for almost two years.

[nickia]

I still prefer sun light of any light bulbs:lol:

[Kasakato]

Almost all the light fixtures that came with my house are dome like. One in family room, at least one in each bedroom. There is no obvious vent I can see unless you consider the wire hole to the ceiling is kind of a vent. And, the CFL that has the same brightness does not fix. That is I cannot close the cover if I put them in.

I also had some CFL bulbs melt too.

Interesting. The most enclosed light we have is something like that, but there is a small 2cm hole on the top for air to escape.

There are mini CFLs which are the size of normal bulbs. If there isent enough light, get a higher wattage.

[Harkonnen]

At my workplace, we leave some of the lights on at night so that birds don't fly into the windows and die.

We've even stuck silhouettes of birds of prey onto some of the windows so that smaller birds don't fly near or around us.

[dmdsoftware2]

I don't know how humid your bathroom is but my CFLs have been working fine for almost two years.

CTV News did a report in conjunction with the Fire Marshals office on the safety of CFL light bulbs. The Fire Marshals reported that the bulbs are only truly safe to use in non-humid places and that only traditional bulbs should be used in humid places.

[gman]

Interesting. The most enclosed light we have is something like that, but there is a small 2cm hole on the top for air to escape.

There are mini CFLs which are the size of normal bulbs. If there isent enough light, get a higher wattage.

I cannot find any mini CFL which can produce 100W of normal bulb light. They are ALL too big and is not the same size of normal bulb. In fact, I have quite a few of those bulb in my storage because they do not fit and for the location that can fit, the CFL bulb has not burnt out.

If you know where I can find mini CFL that can do 100W equalivent, please let me know. I did look everywhere that I could.

[don242]

At my workplace, we leave some of the lights on at night so that birds don't fly into the windows and die.

We've even stuck silhouettes of birds of prey onto some of the windows so that smaller birds don't fly near or around us.

Actually workplaces are asked to turn off the lights at night (or at least dim them) to reduce the incidents of birds hitting windows.

During the day they are asked to use measures to prevnt the reflectiveness of windows such as using the silhouettes.

[don242]

I cannot find any mini CFL which can produce 100W of normal bulb light. They are ALL too big and is not the same size of normal bulb. In fact, I have quite a few of those bulb in my storage because they do not fit and for the location that can fit, the CFL bulb has not burnt out.

If you know where I can find mini CFL that can do 100W equalivent, please let me know. I did look everywhere that I could.

We have the same problem in our basement because we just bought cheap dome light fixtures so the 100W CFLs do not fit. All of our other dome fixtures in the rest of the house can fit two of these easily if we needed. We are planning on purchasing some nicer dome fixtures when we do our basement so we will make sure they are large enough to fit a 100W CFL bulb, but in the meantime, it would be nice to find a mini one as well.

[gordholio]

And what are we suppose to use in our bathrooms? CFL light bulbs are not designed to be used in humid environments.

The ban doesn't start until 2012. By then, they may have different types of light bulbs, maybe even energy efficient incandescent ones.

[Drthorne]

induction lighting (http://tristate.apogee.net/lite/lntlopr.asp) will be replacing CFL and incandescent by then

[ZenOps]

Y'know I'm surprised people aren't a little more concerned about this...

I'm going to get deep here so feel free to stop reading:

Think about this for a second - Governments all around the world are forcing their citizens to adopt power saving light bulbs. They will - and have taken our choice away. Now I don't know about you, but this sounds like its on the road to Chinese Totalitarianism where pretty soon they are going to be limiting people to "one child per family". Now China can get away with it, but I'm not so sure about the rest of the world.

This isn't like banning lead or harmful things like drugs. This is something that has provided and still provides a useful and positive purpose, just not quite as positive as some would like. Freedom of choice and Liberty just took a massive nosedive, and noone seems to care.

[gman]

Y'know I'm surprised people aren't a little more concerned about this...

I'm going to get deep here so feel free to stop reading:

Think about this for a second - Governments all around the world are forcing their citizens to adopt power saving light bulbs. They will - and have taken our choice away. Now I don't know about you, but this sounds like its on the road to Chinese Totalitarianism where pretty soon they are going to be limiting people to "one child per family". Now China can get away with it, but I'm not so sure about the rest of the world.

This isn't like banning lead or harmful things like drugs. This is something that has provided and still provides a useful and positive purpose, just not quite as positive as some would like. Freedom of choice and Liberty just took a massive nosedive, and noone seems to care.

In here, you can choose your government. Well, if nobody agrees with you. I guess too bad.

[Drthorne]

If banning incandescent bulbs causes my tax dollars to go towards health care instead of building another nuclear power plant then I'm all for it

[PQpine413]

its good
now that more people are buying the efficiency bulbs, the prices are going down. soon it'll be cheaper if the incondesent are being discontinued

[dark169]

The ban doesn't start until 2012. By then, they may have different types of light bulbs, maybe even energy efficient incandescent ones.

considering its taken over 10 years for CFL's to get to where they are to day I dont think any of the future lighting choices will be a competitive replacement by 2020 never mine 2012.

[SamInfinity]

As others have mentioned, CFL's don't fit into a lot of the fixtures around the house. Moreover, I read on the packaging that they contain Mercury, and thus, you're not supposed to just throw them in the garbage. I see using CFL's causing environmental harm if the general population won't go out of their way to dispose of them properly, because people are inherently lazy.

[Colargo]

As others have mentioned, CFL's don't fit into a lot of the fixtures around the house. Moreover, I read on the packaging that they contain Mercury, and thus, you're not supposed to just throw them in the garbage. I see using CFL's causing environmental harm if the general population won't go out of their way to dispose of them properly, because people are inherently lazy.

I was thinking about the mercury in CFLs too. So how do you go about disposing them? In a recycle box or something?

Also isn't LED the best option?

[gman]

I was thinking about the mercury in CFLs too. So how do you go about disposing them? In a recycle box or something?

Also isn't LED the best option?

Right now, you need to take it to the depot. Yes, pain of the back end. I hope they have another program such as a red box so that we can put motor oil, paint, etc to it. They can pick it up once a month or once two months.

[don242]

Also isn't LED the best option?

LED lights use less power but the price tag right now for one is extremely high. Maybe over time the price will come down. Also they are more for reading lamps, bathroom as they are more of a directional light whereas CFLs light all around.

[UrbanPoet]

i hope they dont bann the smal little 7.5watt incadescent bulbs i use for my oven and fridge :D

[CodecX81]

haha.. i never thought about that.

Maybe they will make a super ultra Compact FL to fit in those tiny spots.

(or of course replace it with an LED or something small)

It is about time.. and not soon enough. I converted my entire apartment over to CFL a few years ago when they offered the free bulbs from home depot...

While shopping I found the daylight version that gave a brighter spectrum.. my entire apartment is outfitted with 100watt "Bluish white" CFLs.. its like having sunshine in my apartment in the evenings. I love them and I could never go back to those disgusting yellows..

[hagbard]

Just wait until the Hydro companies up their rates once we all switch to CFLs to make up for their loss in revenue. Oh wait, they already have!

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/toronto/story.html?id=a4cc0575-e846-408a-9c84-0f47880330ff

So we won't be able to effectively use dimmers, pay the same for our hydro bills, the hydro companies will make more money, the CFL manufacturing companies will make more money (While CFLs do last longer, they have a longer period of time in which to break. I've had CFLs last 6 months before), and the electricians will make a share from refitting homes.

How is this supposed to help the environment?

It helps the corporate environment. :D

[IronMac]

CTV News did a report in conjunction with the Fire Marshals office on the safety of CFL light bulbs. The Fire Marshals reported that the bulbs are only truly safe to use in non-humid places and that only traditional bulbs should be used in humid places.

According to the following:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7431198


Myths

— CFLs have a harsh, cold light quality. Increasingly, this is less of an issue. Over the past few years, manufacturers have worked to provide a warmer color. Some people say they still notice a difference, but the gap is narrowing. For a warmer, white light, look for a color temperature of 2,700–3,000K on the package.

— CFLs aren't for bathrooms. Not necessarily. CFLs can work in bathrooms, but humidity may shorten the bulb's life.

— CFLs can't be used in older houses. In fact, CFLs may work better than incandescent bulbs in houses with older wiring; CFLs generate less heat and draw less electrical current.

[sans]

no!!!! they look so nice. oh well, several more years of usage until the ban.

[Alvito]

the correct term is banning, they havent done it yet.

[LuuC]

I read in the Toronto Star today that they WON'T ban homeowners and businesses from continuing to use these light bulbs but that people will be banned from selling them.

Is there good logic to that? :confused:

[gman]

I read in the Toronto Star today that they WON'T ban homeowners and businesses from continuing to use these light bulbs but that people will be banned from selling them.

Is there good logic to that? :confused:

If you have a lot of light bulb, they don't want you to throw them away in one shot. However, the real reason is they cannot enforce the home owner not using it, period. It is easier to just cut the supply.

[UrbanPoet]

what if u order them from ebay?

[doraemi]

its illegal to sell...but will it be illegal to import it from another country for personal use?

[gman]

its illegal to sell...but will it be illegal to import it from another country for personal use?

No idea but after shipping, I think it may double the current price. And, it is easy to break too.

[df329]

in for black market gouging for incand light bulbs on RFD :!:

[ZenOps]

Well, I'm glad theres no ban here in Alberta.

I like Halogens for reading lights, and CFL's only for times where you don't really need to be concentrating on anything. Tried LED, but if you use the stuff that pulls its power directly from the power grid (like Xmas lights) it will pulsate at exactly the frequency of the alternating current (60 hz) which is annoying. LED that converts back to direct current pretty well mitigates a lot of the powersaving - as you need a transformer inbetween.

I remember back when the calcium enriched soya companies were trying to get milk banned - Really there was a time where they managed to get 8 out of 10 doctors on their side saying it was a superior product that did not have all of the problems of milk (possible growth hormones, animal to human transmitted dieseases, excessive bacteria growth, short shelf life, etc..) The public had no problems shooting that one down.

I personally have strong feelings against anyone who denies a legitimate product or service for paid cash tender. It can be - and is oppresive.

[abu_sme]

I think this is stupid. It doesn't make economic (or environmental) sense to have a CFL in my desk lamp that isn't on. Think of how much energy and waste is produces in making that CFL. If it isn't being used much it is actually a net loss.

Also, do you want that much mercury lying around in your house. It is safe if the bulbs are above you, but do you want ALL the bulbs in your house at all levels to be mercury filled CFLs? Imagine having toddlers around that stuff, I don't know how many bulbs I broke when I was a kid, but I know I broke at least a few of em.

AHA!

The real future of energy efficiency are GE's new incandescents that produce DOUBLE the light per watt of conventional bulbs:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/27/ge-develops-high-efficiency-incandescent-bulbs/

If you take into account the energy required for:
1) THe manufacture of CFLs
2)The energy lost through the ballast.
3) The EXTREMELY huge problem of mercury contamination.

I think the energy efficient incandescent bulbs are gonna go for the win.

[gman]

I think this is stupid. It doesn't make economic (or environmental) sense to have a CFL in my desk lamp that isn't on.

Hmmm! If it will not be turned on, why do you put a CFL or any light bulb there at all? For sure, that will save energy though. ;)

[don242]

What I do find interesting about this thread is the overreaction by people towards this announcement. It isn't like we are all going to be without light in 2012. All that is being done is a ban on the less efficient lighting. If there isn't an alternative available such as a lightbulb for your stove, I am sure those won't disappear from the shelves. I am sure even after the ban there will be a huge selection of lightbulbs in all shapes, sizes, functions and price ranges just as there is now. Just hopefully it will be a more energy efficient set of choices.

[gordholio]

In a few years, who knows there may be a new type of light bulb invented (rather than fluorescent) that is economical and energy efficient, yet gives more natural lighting (than compact fluorescent lights).

[fenrus]

nothing but a political move to artificially appease the dumb environmentalists. I say the dumb ones, cuz this is just like a band-aid solution, if even. but there are people who are light sensitive to fluorescent lights, that's definitely gonna raise some issues.

perhaps the government should open up more recycling facilities first so that people can conveniently dispose of these bulbs in an environmentally friendly way.

and someone in this thread mentioned people won't do it cuz they are inheritantly lazy. Well true, that's cuz most people don't want to take an hour of their time to first find a place that does it, and then drive there (if they have a car).

There really should be easier and more accessible ways to dispose of things. I mean, they say don't throw your AA batteries in the garbage, where are we suppose to dump it then? Plus there always tonnes of electronics always being thrown into the garbage. I know we have lots of computer geeks around, surely they have lots of parts lying around. plus, we can't even recycle most plastics cuz "they" won't accept them.

[don242]

nothing but a political move to artificially appease the dumb environmentalists. I say the dumb ones, cuz this is just like a band-aid solution, if even. but there are people who are light sensitive to fluorescent lights, that's definitely gonna raise some issues.

perhaps the government should open up more recycling facilities first so that people can conveniently dispose of these bulbs in an environmentally friendly way.

and someone in this thread mentioned people won't do it cuz they are inheritantly lazy. Well true, that's cuz most people don't want to take an hour of their time to first find a place that does it, and then drive there (if they have a car).

There really should be easier and more accessible ways to dispose of things. I mean, they say don't throw your AA batteries in the garbage, where are we suppose to dump it then? Plus there always tonnes of electronics always being thrown into the garbage. I know we have lots of computer geeks around, surely they have lots of parts lying around. plus, we can't even recycle most plastics cuz "they" won't accept them.


Just for information, disposal of regular batteries is fine in the garbage. It is the rechargable type that should be disposed of properly.

I do agree that recycling has quite a way to go still. Most food plastics (1-7) can be recycled and are currently accepted in recycling bins (at least here in Ontario). It is the plastics from other things that could get more attention when it comes to recycling. Hopefully that will change someday.

As for the laziness of people, I can't comment. It is a shame that people feel so inconvienienced by the waste they generate. People are willing to drive the hour for a big sale to purchase an item but are not willing to take the time to dispose of it properly.

As for disposal, your local landfills I am sure take everything. It isn't hard to save those hazardous wastes somewhere and once a year bring them to a landfill to get rid of them properly. Also, a lot of businesses now have boxes for the disposal of inkjet cartrideges, batteries etc. When you are out chasing after that next big sale, take the old batteries with you and dispose of them while you are there.

As for the disposal of CFLs in the future, I hope the government will realize the need to provide a better disposal system especially if they expact these bulbs to be the commonplace. Maybe a similar situation will arise where certain business will provide a means for disposal as well.

Hopefully things will come around to make things easier for all to dipose of waste. But until then, I hope everyone realizes that they are resposnible for the waste they generate and this responsibility requires more than throwing it in a black plastic bag and setting it out at the curb.

[kajan23]

Federal government announced that's its a nationwide ban now.

"The federal government declared a Canada-wide ban on the sale of inefficient lightbulbs on Thursday, pledging to eliminate them entirely in Canada within five years.

The move is the latest component in its national environmental initiative, which was inadvertently leaked one day earlier.

"I'm very pleased to announce today Canada is stepping up once again and introducing national standards for energy efficiency in lighting," said Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn.

"We must have strong national standards to support provinces and territories that are making their own moves to ban inefficient lighting."

Lunn said the ban is projected to amount to a reduction of 6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year -- about 0.8 per cent of Canada's emissions.

Homeowners, Lunn said, will save about $60 annually in electricity costs once the ban is implemented."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070425/lightbulb_ban_070425/20070425?hub=CTVNewsAt11

[rchong]

Well, there still needs to be tons of improvement of the CFL lights. Constant on/off kills them fast which makes them unsuitable for bathrooms, garage door opener lights, and night lamps. I doubt CFLs would be suitable in one of those lamp things that you can use to work on cars.

We did switch many lights to CFLs but only in places where the light will not repeatedly go on/off in short intervals.

I'm sure I read somewhere that the mercury level is negligible and you can dispose of CFLs in the garbage. Anyone else remember reading something like that?

Now I have to plan a stock up of light bulbs. :mad:

[ZenOps]

Dang - its nation wide now...

Exactly who sets policy on this stuff really, our king :|

[ZenOps]

I wonder if Halogen/Quartz Halogen will be considered energy efficient enough.

I like the light quality of the GE Edisons.

But they are expensive, and not exactly the most efficient.

[Kevin]

http://www.thestar.com/images/assets/214903_3.JPG

"It will soon be lights out for incandescent light bulbs.

The Ontario government said Wednesday it plans to ban the current bulbs and what it calls other inefficient lighting technologies by 2012 in an effort to reduce the province's electricity consumption and lower the greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

"It's the equivalent of taking 250,000 cars off the road," said Environment Minister Laurel Broten."

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/204500

Update:

The federal government declared a Canada-wide ban on the sale of inefficient lightbulbs on Thursday, pledging to eliminate them entirely in Canada within five years.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070425/lightbulb_ban_070425/20070425?hub=CTVNewsAt11

The only people who will be laughing all the way to the bank are the CFL Bulb manufacturer.

[Blunt]

The only people who will be laughing all the way to the bank are the CFL Bulb manufacturer.

The demand for lightbulbs will be the same after the ban.
For any company in the lighting industry, most or all companies are already heavily invested into CFL's.
When the ban takes place, they just ramp up CFL prodution and regular light bulbs gets phased out.

It's not like everyone will need 2x the amount of light bulbs or something.

[Deimos]

If banning incandescent bulbs causes my tax dollars to go towards health care instead of building another nuclear power plant then I'm all for it

I've never really used my health care.. why should I pay for thousands of people to get posh spa care? health care only helps the sick.

nuclear reactor produced electricity 24/7 for 98% of days of the year, for everybody who uses electricity... which is pretty much everybody everywhere, at work and at home.

I dont understand the adamant opposition against building new power stations.. its like buying new car to accomodate a larger family. Got 2 kids.. Civic is perfectly adequate. Hauling 8 young'ns.. GMC Safari is your best bet... Coach bus.. thats kind of overboard. As long as government doesnt think building a reactor is the silver bullet that will fix all the power problems, things should be fine. Yeah we gotta slowly expand capacity to meet the growing demand... but we should focus on conservation and co-generation.

[brute33]

Don't buy cheap crap. The shortest life CFL I have had lasted 6 yrs. The longest 13, and it was on min 10 hours per day.

GE, Phillips and Sylvania bulbs have all been good for me.

you've had a cfl for 13 years??? i didn't even know they existed 5 years ago......

[gman]

you've had a cfl for 13 years??? i didn't even know they existed 5 years ago......

It has been available since 80's.

[JAC]

I just replaced my ****** Globe Cool Whites with Philips Daylights. A remarkable difference; I just hope they last longer than the Globes and don't flare out quite so violently.