[SustainableTompkins] [GreenYes] Wal-Mart plans mercury reductions in CFLs

[Thomas Shelley]

Dear Friends--I know that many of us are not fans of Wal-Mart (I've only 
been the Ithaca store once and I'd never go back again) but they are trying 
to do the right thing, even if it's to make a buck.  Wearing a Green Hat is 
better that wearing a Black Hat.  Now if they could use their political 
influence to lean on the Chinese regarding human rights issues......    Tom

At 08:30 AM 5/12/2007 -0500,  Stephan Pollard wrote:
>All,
>
>A month-and-a-half or so ago I mentioned having attended Wal-Mart's 
>quarterly Business Sustainability Milestone Meeting here in Arkansas.  I 
>also mentioned that Lee Scott pretty much guaranteed that something was 
>going to be done about the mercury - CLF problem.  Well, these guys are 
>game changers and they're changing the game.  Have a look.
>
>Stephan
>
>
>Wal-Mart plans mercury reductions in CFLs
>
>May 11 -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it is working with manufacturers to 
>lower the mercury content in compact fluorescent light bulbs by 33 percent.
>
>General Electric, Royal Philips, Osram Sylvania and Lights of America all 
>agreed to reduce mercury levels more than the 5 milligram standard set by 
>the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. They also agreed to use 
>clean production techniques. Lights of America even plans to have no more 
>than 2 milligrams of mercury in its bulbs by the end of 2007.
>
>"The reductions will ensure that consumers can take advantage of the 
>financial and environmental benefits of CFLs now," said Andy Ruben, vice 
>president of strategy and sustainability for Wal-Mart. "Today´s action is 
>a great win for the environment and our customers."
>
>Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than 
>traditional light bulbs, and they can last up to 10 times longer. 
>Coal-fired plants emit less mercury into the atmosphere to power a CFL 
>compared with a traditional incandescent bulb, according to the U.S. 
>Environmental Protection Agency. Suppliers and retailers are working on 
>making CFLs more affordable for the public in order to please shoppers.
>
>Wal-Mart plans to sell at least 100 million of the bulbs by 2008.
>
>--
>Stephan Pollard, Ph.D.-Environmental Dynamics
>555 W. Maple St., Apt. C
>Fayetteville, AR 72701
>(479) 444-7445
>(479) 799-9190 cell

Tom Shelley
118 E. Court St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607 342-0864
tjs1 at cornell.edu
http://www.myspace.com/99319958