Government Technology

Green Tech Wrap-up: States Encourage CFL Recycling, Digester Devours Solid Waste


September 1, 2009 By

Green Wrap

In recent years, there has been much publicity about green technologies and how everyone can become environmental stewards. Here are some examples of how states are turning trash into energy and being more Earth friendly:

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) consume much less energy than traditional light bulbs, but they contain mercury -- a toxic metal that can damage the nervous system and lungs if inhaled. Safe CFL recycling laws are pending in California and Massachusetts; Maine became the first state to pass a law requiring manufacturers to limit mercury in CFLs; and Illinois has a law that requires recycling information on CFL packages, according to USA Today.

The Golden State is also Dumpster diving to power homes with renewable energy from table scraps using an anaerobic phased solids digester, according to a press release from the California Integrated Waste Management Board. The digester converts biodegradable and organic waste materials -- like fish bones, cantaloupes and yard waste -- into methane and hydrogen, which produces heat and electricity. Each ton of waste will produce energy for 10 homes, according to the board.

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