Comments on: Tell Walmart: Take Back the Mercury! http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/ Exploring the New Values of the 21st Century Citizen Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:59:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: trash container http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-8232 trash container Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:31:49 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-8232 [...] household trash. They've refused to provide in-store recycling. Tell them to Take Back The Mercury!http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/The Container Store &gt Shop TrashThe container Store? - The Original Storage and Organization [...] […] household trash. They’ve refused to provide in-store recycling. Tell them to Take Back The Mercury!http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/The Container Store &gt Shop TrashThe container Store? - The Original Storage and Organization […]

]]> By: Recycle: Used CFLs | Earth-Byte.com http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-2575 Recycle: Used CFLs | Earth-Byte.com Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:56:14 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-2575 [...] Unless you bought CFLs from Ikea, one of the first major vendors to offer a free take-back program, you’re probably going to get some blank stares when you ask the manager of your local store about CFL recycling. It’s worth the effort, though: retailers need to know their customers want safe disposal of the good they purchase. If you bought your CFLs from Wal-Mart, consider contacting their corporate headquarters and asking that they establish a company wide CFL return program. [...] […] Unless you bought CFLs from Ikea, one of the first major vendors to offer a free take-back program, you’re probably going to get some blank stares when you ask the manager of your local store about CFL recycling. It’s worth the effort, though: retailers need to know their customers want safe disposal of the good they purchase. If you bought your CFLs from Wal-Mart, consider contacting their corporate headquarters and asking that they establish a company wide CFL return program. […]

]]> By: repressed writer http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-2355 repressed writer Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:16:33 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-2355 THE EPA'S OFFICIAL REPORT ON THESE COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS IS THAT THEY ARE STILL SAFER - OVERALL - THAN THE OLD INCANDESCENT BULBS. However, to be sure, I checked-out some very reputable independent testing labs reports. Here are some sites to help you handle the very tiney, teeny-weenie, itsy-bitsy, smaller than the a fine point ball-point pin tip (and to be even less within the next 12 months) bit of mercury: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/4215199.html http://energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf Hope this helps you to overcome. Hey - don't freak - I broke a thermometer in 1977 - and the mercury went down the bathroom drain!!! AAaaaaaggghhhhh!!!!! LOL! Just kidding - really though - it did go down the sink! THE EPA’S OFFICIAL REPORT ON THESE COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS IS THAT THEY ARE STILL SAFER - OVERALL - THAN THE OLD INCANDESCENT BULBS.

However, to be sure, I checked-out some very reputable independent testing labs reports. Here are some sites to help you handle the very tiney, teeny-weenie, itsy-bitsy, smaller than the a fine point ball-point pin tip (and to be even less within the next 12 months) bit of mercury:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/4215199.html

http://energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

Hope this helps you to overcome.

Hey - don’t freak - I broke a thermometer in 1977 - and the mercury went down the bathroom drain!!! AAaaaaaggghhhhh!!!!!
LOL! Just kidding - really though - it did go down the sink!

]]> By: rose miller http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-2184 rose miller Sun, 21 Oct 2007 05:32:57 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-2184 the address to write to ceo, walmart is nothing but a joke. i wrote 3 times about a ongoing problem and all 3 times a got the same email back, but with a differant name signed! the address to write to ceo, walmart is nothing but a joke. i wrote 3 times about a ongoing problem and all 3 times a got the same email back, but with a differant name signed!

]]> By: Billy http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-1568 Billy Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:28:48 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-1568 Making the companies take them back is kindof dumb. Honestly, we need to find a common recycling method in the existing pickup. Just because a company sells someone's product, does not mean they are responsible for it indefinetly, this sense of entitlement is silly. If anything we should push for the advancement of led lighting technology, as it is a much better solution. Making the companies take them back is kindof dumb. Honestly, we need to find a common recycling method in the existing pickup. Just because a company sells someone’s product, does not mean they are responsible for it indefinetly, this sense of entitlement is silly.

If anything we should push for the advancement of led lighting technology, as it is a much better solution.

]]> By: zevgoldman http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-1192 zevgoldman Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:37:36 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-1192 I can honestly say that CFLs are one of the most over hyped products I have seen in recent years. In our household we made the move to CFLs and have found that they provide a poor quality of light, requiring upsizing to achieve the level of light that was produced by the incandescent bulbs that were removed. As for the Wal-Mart issue; Just because they are successful they shouldn't be required to accept the collectivist thinking that their profits belong to anyone other than the shareholders. If Wal-Mart can make money from recycling CFLs, I imagine they will do so. If not a Green organization can step forward and develop a means of disposal. I can honestly say that CFLs are one of the most over hyped products I have seen in recent years.
In our household we made the move to CFLs and have found that they provide a poor quality of light, requiring upsizing to achieve the level of light that was produced by the incandescent bulbs that were removed.
As for the Wal-Mart issue; Just because they are successful they shouldn’t be required to accept the collectivist thinking that their profits belong to anyone other than the shareholders. If Wal-Mart can make money from recycling CFLs, I imagine they will do so. If not a Green organization can step forward and develop a means of disposal.

]]> By: Anna Hackman http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-993 Anna Hackman Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:12:42 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-993 Sorry it looks like the first half of my post disappeared! So, I am reprinting it. Sorry! Kudos on your post. I wrote a similar post on my website, Green Talk, after I attended Lightfair 2007 in NYC. At the show there were a lot of companies marketing their fluorescent bulbs and CFLs. Some had a lower mercury content than others.. (By the way they have lead in them too.) It became apparent to me that nothing was being done to push the recycling of the CFLs as well as commercial fluorescent bulbs. I did try and call Alan Ruben (twice) and was switched back to his sustainable press coordinated. One time I talked to someone in his department. Basically I was fed the corporate lingo on they are looking into it. Actually, they did a 5 state bulb collection. What I found out is they collected more commercial bulbs than CFLs. It is a start. I also called the sustainable VP from Home Depot. I am still waiting for a return phone call... The only person I spoke to was a VP at Lowes who actually called me back. Liability seems to be a huge issue because of the hazardous material contained in the CFLs. Personally, I agree with you. I think it is cost. Would consumers still buy CFLs if there was an additional $1 attached for recycling? Would offering a small discount on a new bulb to bring in your old bulb be a good reason for Walmart to do this under the adage that people would also buy something else? Even better, how about making it easier for people to recycle these bulbs locally like you recycle your paper and glass products. Maybe I am just dreaming... I don't know but I think that something has to be done. anna www.green-talk.com Sorry it looks like the first half of my post disappeared! So, I am reprinting it. Sorry!

Kudos on your post. I wrote a similar post on my website, Green Talk, after I attended Lightfair 2007 in NYC. At the show there were a lot of companies marketing their fluorescent bulbs and CFLs. Some had a lower mercury content than others.. (By the way they have lead in them too.) It became apparent to me that nothing was being done to push the recycling of the CFLs as well as commercial fluorescent bulbs.

I did try and call Alan Ruben (twice) and was switched back to his sustainable press coordinated. One time I talked to someone in his department. Basically I was fed the corporate lingo on they are looking into it. Actually, they did a 5 state bulb collection. What I found out is they collected more commercial bulbs than CFLs. It is a start.

I also called the sustainable VP from Home Depot. I am still waiting for a return phone call… The only person I spoke to was a VP at Lowes who actually called me back. Liability seems to be a huge issue because of the hazardous material contained in the CFLs.

Personally, I agree with you. I think it is cost. Would consumers still buy CFLs if there was an additional $1 attached for recycling? Would offering a small discount on a new bulb to bring in your old bulb be a good reason for Walmart to do this under the adage that people would also buy something else?

Even better, how about making it easier for people to recycle these bulbs locally like you recycle your paper and glass products. Maybe I am just dreaming…

I don’t know but I think that something has to be done. anna www.green-talk.com

]]> By: Anna Hackman http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-992 Anna Hackman Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:11:13 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-992 I also called the sustainable VP from Home Depot. I am still waiting for a return phone call... The only person I spoke to was a VP at Lowes who actually called me back. He told me that liability seems to be a huge issue for these companies because of the hazardous material contained in the CFLs. (clean-up issues, etc) Personally, I agree with you. I think it is cost. Would consumers still buy CFLs if there was an additional $1 attached for recycling? Would offering a small discount on a new bulb to bring in your old bulb be a good reason for Walmart to do this under the adage that people would also buy something else? Even better, how about making it easier for people to recycle these bulbs locally like you recycle your paper and glass products. Maybe I am just dreaming... I don't know but I think that something has to be done. Thanks for bring in up this issues again. anna www.green-talk.com I also called the sustainable VP from Home Depot. I am still waiting for a return phone call… The only person I spoke to was a VP at Lowes who actually called me back. He told me that liability seems to be a huge issue for these companies because of the hazardous material contained in the CFLs. (clean-up issues, etc)

Personally, I agree with you. I think it is cost. Would consumers still buy CFLs if there was an additional $1 attached for recycling? Would offering a small discount on a new bulb to bring in your old bulb be a good reason for Walmart to do this under the adage that people would also buy something else?

Even better, how about making it easier for people to recycle these bulbs locally like you recycle your paper and glass products. Maybe I am just dreaming…

I don’t know but I think that something has to be done. Thanks for bring in up this issues again. anna www.green-talk.com

]]> By: jhimm http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-667 jhimm Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:48:50 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-667 this isn't just about self-interest vs. collective well-being. the continued existence of "society" as a concept for thousands of years disproves your claim that self-interest always trumps. the truth that too many people miss is that these concepts are not mutually exclusive. in the face of impending global climate change self-interest intersects with collective well-being. i don't want to live on a planet distorted by pollution. society as a whole is growing to see things the same way. i am unable to prevent global climate shift on my own. society as a whole can prevent global climate shift. our interests converge for a time. Wal-Mart's earing of a profit on "green" light bulbs does not in some way distort, taint or cancel out the simple fact that this could lead to more and more people using far more efficient light bulbs than they used to use. the CFL mercury problem is no different form the Toyota Prius Giant Toxic Battery problem that everyone is ignoring in their effort to join The Smug. while a CFL uses less electricity than older bulbs, it comes with a consequence - mercury. but this isn't a reason to avoid CFL! at least we are aware of this trade off -at the beginning- instead of 100 years from now when it is too late to prevent a pollution catastrophe. it simply means we need to be deliberate about the way in which we consume CFL, but isn't environmental activism at its core about more deliberate consumerism in general anyway? so this should be no problem whatsoever. if Wal-Mart discovers that offering CFL recycling will -also- earn them more money, they will offer it. if they don't come to that conclusion, the fault lies with consumers for not presenting a compelling case to Wal-Mart. Whole Foods doesn't sell organic, fair trade coffee because they love indigenous peoples and want them to be middle class and safe. they sell organic, fair trade coffee because affluent liberals will pay $15 a pound for it. but that doesn't taint organic, fair trade coffee's value. baby, bath water, people. this isn’t just about self-interest vs. collective well-being.
the continued existence of “society” as a concept
for thousands of years
disproves your claim that self-interest always trumps.
the truth that too many people miss
is that these concepts are not mutually exclusive.
in the face of impending global climate change
self-interest intersects with collective well-being.
i don’t want to live on a planet distorted by pollution.
society as a whole is growing to see things the same way.
i am unable to prevent global climate shift on my own.
society as a whole can prevent global climate shift.
our interests converge for a time.

Wal-Mart’s earing of a profit on “green” light bulbs
does not in some way distort, taint or cancel out the simple fact
that this could lead to more and more people
using far more efficient light bulbs than they used to use.

the CFL mercury problem
is no different form the Toyota Prius
Giant Toxic Battery problem
that everyone is ignoring
in their effort to join The Smug.

while a CFL uses less electricity than older bulbs,
it comes with a consequence - mercury.
but this isn’t a reason to avoid CFL!
at least we are aware of this trade off -at the beginning-
instead of 100 years from now
when it is too late to prevent a pollution catastrophe.
it simply means we need to be deliberate
about the way in which we consume CFL,
but isn’t environmental activism
at its core
about more deliberate consumerism in general anyway?

so this should be no problem whatsoever.

if Wal-Mart discovers that offering CFL recycling
will -also- earn them more money,
they will offer it.
if they don’t come to that conclusion,
the fault lies with consumers
for not presenting a compelling case to Wal-Mart.

Whole Foods doesn’t sell organic, fair trade coffee
because they love indigenous peoples
and want them to be middle class and safe.
they sell organic, fair trade coffee
because affluent liberals will pay $15 a pound for it.

but that doesn’t taint organic, fair trade coffee’s value.

baby, bath water, people.

]]> By: Conley http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-666 Conley Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:03:37 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/27/tell-walmart-to-take-back-the-mercury/#comment-666 Here is a quick, 2-minute draft I wrote up, feel free to add to it, or change it and leave it here or at my blog, http://conley.toejammer.net/blog/?p=150 Hi, I am concerned about the number of CFL bulbs being sold without an accessible way to safely dispose of them. Because they contain mercury and because many people are not aware of the dangers involved, CFL bulbs carelessly thrown into public landfills could become a costly hazard that will be expensive to clean up later. If you really want to protect the environment, with an environmentally friendly, energy-saving product, please provide an in store way to safely dispose of them. Thanks, ~Conley Here is a quick, 2-minute draft I wrote up, feel free to add to it, or change it and leave it here or at my blog, http://conley.toejammer.net/blog/?p=150

Hi, I am concerned about the number of CFL bulbs being sold without an accessible way to safely dispose of them. Because they contain mercury and because many people are not aware of the dangers involved, CFL bulbs carelessly thrown into public landfills could become a costly hazard that will be expensive to clean up later. If you really want to protect the environment, with an environmentally friendly, energy-saving product, please provide an in store way to safely dispose of them.

Thanks,
~Conley

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