At Greenled it is our aim to offer lights which are recyclable. The lights in our range have a rated average lifetime of 30,000 - 50,000 hours. LEDs do not blow or implode they gradually dim. After the rated life period has passed these lights will be less than 70% of their initial full brightness which is perceptible to the human eye. When they eventually dim beyond this level our aim is for them not to be thrown away but to be reused with replacement chips. The housing remains usable.
Greenled lights do not emit ultra-violet or infra-red rays. As a result,
they are not harmful to sufferers of light-sensitive conditions and are harmless to fabrics.
Greenled lights run at around 65ºC. Normal lights operate at 250º-350ºC and will burn to the touch. Greenleds do not. They reduce fire risk and severely decrease burn harm. |
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On 5th June 2007 the European Lamp Companies Federation (ELC) (the group representing the main lighting manufacturers such as GE, Havells Sylvania, Osram, Philips) published its strategy for domestic lighting in the form of a Frequently Asked Question & Answer paper on energy efficient lamps. Here are some of the tips and advice they specify:
"CFLs and Mercury
27. A big issue in the uptake of CFLs is their mercury content
When the lamps are in a cold state, mercury is present in the form of small mercury droplets or as a solid amalgam of mercury/iron pellets in the bulb. When the lamp is switched on, the mercury vaporizes as the temperature of the bulb rises and the mercury vapour needed for the discharge fills the entire bulb. MERCURY IS RELEASED IF THE LAMP BREAKS.
29. What do I do with a CFL when it burns out? What is the proper procedure?
In Europe all CFL lamps have to be disposed as special waste... under the WEEE Directive the European lighting industry has set up a European-wide recycling infrastructure for all CFLs.
Disposing of CFLs
Follow these guidelines to dispose of your CFL properly:
Like paint, batteries, thermostats, and other hazardous household items, CFLs should be disposed of properly.
If your local waste management agency offers no other disposal options except your household garbage, place the CFL in a plastic bag and seal it before putting it in your trash
If your waste agency incinerates its garbage, you should search a wider geographic area for proper disposal options such as your local tip. Never send a CFL or other mercury containing products to an incinerator.
30. What should I do if I break a CFL lamp?
If you break a CFL, do not panic and take the following steps:
Ventilate the room for 20-30 minutes.
Use gloves to remove all the bits
All the items used in cleaning up the spill should be treated as "universal waste" or disposed ofat your local lamp recycling point.
Remove all broken lamp components from the luminaire before reusing the luminaire.
ALWAYS switch off the mains before removing the remaining lamp components!
32. Can LEDs be used as an energy saving alternative to inefficient domestic lamps?
...LED technology is currently being used in some specific applications ... . and offers great potential for the future of lighting" |
