January's Green Tip

New Year. New Bulb. New Resolution! To kick off 2009 we’re asking all Harvardians to switch from energy-draining incandescents to energy-efficient CFLs. On average CFLs last 10 times longer and use 75% less energy than incandescents.* Of course the most efficient light bulb is off, so whether you’re leaving a room for a minute or the office at the end of the day, remember to flip that switch!

*U.S. Department of Energy

Myth Busting

CFLs are more harmful than incandescents because they contain mercury. While CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury (the size of a ball point pen tip) this is actually 4 x less* than what is produced in providing the additional electricity for an incandescent bulb over its lifetime. If one breaks, picking up the pieces with a wet paper towel, sealing it in a bag, and placing it in an electronic-waste collection space (with batteries, inkjet cartridges, CDs, cell phones and chargers) is safe.

*U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Your Actions Add Up!

If every Harvard student, faculty, and staff switched one 75W incandescent bulb to a 20W CFL, we would prevent 930 metric tons (2,046,200 pounds!) of C02 from entering the atmosphere this year alone. That’s like taking 170 passenger vehicles off the road or providing energy to 82 homes annually!*

*Harvard Fact Book, 2007 Harvard Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Harvard UOS Engineering & Utilities FY10 Utilities Rate Forecasts, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Harvard Happenings

Each month going forward, we’ll be highlighting people, projects, and events at Harvard that showcase putting a green tip into action! Starting today all schools can submit stories for inclusion in February’s tip. To find out if your school is already taking related actions, check out our university-wide campaign calendar here.

Resources

• Need a Reminder? Download “Turn Me Off” stickers for standard single, double, and triple light switches here.
• Need to dispose of a CFL? Download our CFL fact sheet with instructions here.
• Giving out CFLs? Download a 2” x 4” sticker template with information on disposal here. Just fill in the blank with the location of CFL collection for your building or department and place it directly on the bulb’s packaging.
• Can’t find a collection point? Contact the Operations Department for your school/unit.