Anyone notice...

[lostcarpark]

...how the old tungston filament light bulbs generally come in simple bio-degradable cardboard boxes, with no excess packaging, but for some reason energy efficient "green" CFLs are packaged in large plastic bubble packs with loads of wasteful non-degradable material?

Comments

[hawkida.livejournal.com]

Mine come in cardboard boxes...

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Okay, I found one lot in cardboard boxes, in a 3 for the price of 2 offer, in a huge DIY shop. But they only had 20W (100W replacements). They're handy for single bulb fittings, but not so good where there are multiple bulbs. They also ruined it a bit by wrapping the boxes in an outer layer of plastic.

All the other CFLs in the shop were packaged in a very environmentally unfriendly way.

On the plus side, I'm impressed by the range of CFLs available now. I'm pleased to see CFLs designed to replace halogen bulbs, which tend to be horribly overpriced, and tend to blow far too regularly. I have 8 of the horrid things in my kitchen consuming 50W each. Next time they start to blow I'll put in CFLs that won't cost a whole lot more, but will hopefully last the next 8 years or so.

[spodlife]

CFLs aren't very environmentally friendly after they die, so it is a good job they last longer.

Are your kitchen halogens large, or small (GU10)?

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have to agree. CFLs are a good intermediate solution, but what we really need is a standard reusable fluorescent fitting that doesn't require all the electronics to be thrown away every time you replace the bulb. The only attempt I'm aware of is 2D which is rather restrictive in the applications it can be used for and hasn't really taken off.

Yeah, my halogens are GU10s. I see there are also LED GU10 bulbs available. I like the idea, but I suspect the brightness might not be up to par. When they get that problem sorted, I think LEDs may well be the way forward. In the meantime, GU10 CFLs seem a workable solution.

[spodlife]

You are right - GU10 LEDs are not as bright, though similarly priced and last 3 times longer.

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, do you have any idea how much dimmer they are than halogens? 9W CFLs are a big improvement on halogens, but most of the LEDs seem to be 2W or lower, putting them in a different league.