First new tech full spectrum LED lights are FAR superior to CFL’s.

First they do not contain the MERCURY that CCFLs do…granted a single CFL does not contain a lot of Hg but given the vast majority of them will be disposed of improperly on a daily basis. This WILL lead to Hg issues in ground water/soil/eco-system in general.

Landfill run-off is also going to affect lakes, oceans and streams/rivers. As well as Hg released as vapor when these bulbs are broken.

Do know I am far from a tree hugger. In fact I like animals because they taste good. But this Hg issue is good common sense. For decades business were required to properly dispose of CCFL tubes properly or face fines. Anyone think this will be the case for us Joe Average sorts? Like people will learn to and then follow through on proper disposal…heck, they usually don’t take time to RTFM for things they use in real life.

Second, the current tech of LED lights basically last forever and run on pennies/month even when left running 24/7/365.

I do feel we are heading in a bad direction promoting these bulbs over a far better option of LED lighting. And how is the issue of Hg in CFLs any different from Hg in solder connections of electronics? Why do we pay a fee at the time of purchase for monitors, TV’s, etc…but they give away MILLIONS of CCFL bulbs free of charge.

Chip: sadly as much as I try to do exactly as you mention, buy USA, there are so few options. Plus 99% of people don’t see why not looking for that “Made in USA” label matters. Maybe we are dinosaurs but, I just always looks for a Made in USA product first. And even if it costs a bit more, I find a way to make it work for me.

FYI, you can take the Made in USA idea even farther by learning your produce codes and buying ONLY MI-USA produce. Even though we really do not have indie farmers anymore, it is still a USA product.

And yes, I know the logic that even items not made here employee people…I just prefer to support more ethical businesses here in the USA. I love to use Tom Bihn, for my travel & computer bags, as a shining example of solid ethics business wise as well as taking care of their employees.

It's paid for by taxes but I think of it as an investment. Reducing energy consumption reduces expenses. We are forcing ourselves to invest in our future. Not just speculate and put everything on credit – I like that.

Also, if they deliver them in batches — say, stop at 10 people in a neighborhood on one trip — then the CO2 savings will still be massive regardless of whether they drive or not. Ideally they could hand deliver them by just walking door-to-door with a large bag of CFLs (I've done this before and it is easy).

None of them use our schools or subways, and they all love a press conference.

He's the undoing of my town.