by danielb » Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:35 pm
So many people seem to have problems with longevity of them, but I have never replaced any in my house. Most were installed 4 years ago when I moved in, with a couple replaced only after the incandescent's blew. I've had them in other houses as well, and never replaced them, but lived there for shorter times.
My parents have 6 in their family room (3 switches), and mum replaces about 2 or 3 a year. They also have a lamp in that room that is left on overnight, and the first compact fluorescent in that (back in the early 90's when they came on sale for $20 each) lasted about 6 years, and the life spans have progressively declined since, although still last 3 years or so.
I'm not sure why the lifespan varies, we both buy avoid the cheapest brands, I probably turn my lights on and off more than my parents, although overall mine are probably on for less time.
So far as the donation for recycling goes, it hasn't proved very popular. You'd think being members of a sustainability group that people would be keen to help but maybe it's the $2 or maybe the lack of awareness that people don't. Considering you can buy a globe for $2, it is a bit steep for recycling.
I'd like to see accessible drop off bins, like at supermarkets so they are correctly recycled. If there is a significant cost, this could be recouped by a levy on the globes in the first place, so recycling at the other end was free.