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

[Tony Del Plato]

Right on Tom. I agree. We're having an impact regardless. On a similar note,
even if you're a veggie, MacD's is using paper instead of foam. A little
better but their junk is still being consumed and tossed onto the roadside.
We've got a long road ahead but each step counts.

I ask: if there was no advertising, what would people want?
Tony

On 5/12/07, Thomas Shelley <tjs1 at cornell.edu> wrote:
>
> 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
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