BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—TCP’s RECYCLEPAK will encourage consumers to return used light bulbs to home improvement stores, designated city buildings and schools, and have them sent to a recycling facility.
“All CFLs must contain small amounts of mercury in order to glow and give light,” says Ellis Yan, president and CEO, TCP, Inc. “Even with the trace amounts of mercury, which is roughly equivalent to the tip of a ballpoint pen, they should be recycled. The recycling program we developed makes it easy for consumers to drop off a CFL at a big box retailer, city hall, or even their children’s school, and feel confident that they have made the best possible choice for lighting their homes and helping the environment.”
TCP, Inc. unveiled its recycling program at a reception called “Climate Change Solutions.” The event was co-sponsored by the California Climate Action Registry and the Coalition for Clean Air. Speakers included Bob Foster, mayor of Long Beach, Ed Begley, Jr., environmentalist and actor, and Diane Wittenberg, president of California Climate Action Registry. All attendees were given a CFL to try at home.
One of the easiest ways an individual can affect positive climate change is to switch from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs, which use 75 percent less energy. As a result, consumers save up to $108 over the life of the lamp and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 450 pounds.
TCP, Inc. recently increased its production of CFLs by 23 percent to 800,000 CFLs per day. TCP estimates increased market usage will reduce carbon dioxide by 180,000 tons every day, or the equivalent of 360 million pounds of emissions from power plants, and dramatically decrease the amount of emissions linked to global warming. TCP manufactures 70 percent of the CFLs on the market through name brand, private label and other lighting manufacturers.
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