Karnataka environment dept aims dual benefit by recycling CFLs

At a time when the state is reeling under the pressure of power shortage, the environment department is trying to salvage the condition.

After a study tour to Germany, a team of officials from the department has come up with measures to save electricity and promote green technologies.

As part of the move, the environment department is considering to recycle used compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to promote its use.
Speaking to DNA, environment secretary Kanwar Pal said that the department will place a proposal before the government and the manufacturers of CFLs to recycle the used lights.

“This will not only manage the waste in a better way but also reduce the manufacturing cost of CFLs by 60%,” said Pal.
The department plans to enter into memorandum of understandings with the manufacturers to recycle used CFLs.

“The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has identified eight recyclers which will help in collecting CFLs. With a reduction in the manufacturing cost, the price of CFLs will also come down,” said Pal.

A person handing over a used CFL can purchase the next one at a cheaper cost, said Pal.

Currently, the rate of a CFL depends upon the amount of watt and the company. They range from Rs75-110.

"If the items are recycled then more people will purchase them and there will be uniformity in the rates," said an official of the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited.

According to an official of the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), a reduction in peak load amounting to 10 mw was recorded in 2005 when Bharat Electronics Limited and Bescom had promoted the sale of CFLs.

However, there is no official statistics available on the number of homes using CFLs.

Meanwhile, environmentalists have welcomed the plan to recycle CFLs.

Environmentalists are happy with the idea, as they see a dual benefit in it. The move will see the waste being well managed and segregated at source and also encourage people to purchase CFLs.

Reacting to the proposal, Vinuta Gopal, campaign manager, climate and energy, Greenpeace India said, “This is the right way to go. Karnataka is showing leadership by moving away from energy-guzzling bulbs. The move to recycle CFLs is laudable,” said Gopal.

Recently, newly appointed power minister Shobha Karandlaje had announced the state government's plan to promote the sale and usage of CFLs. The state government is considering asking the people to dump the incandescent bulbs and switch over to CFLs from January 1, 2011.