EPA recognizes Philips
The Environmental Protection Agency recognized Philips Lighting Co. in Somerset, NJ as the first U.S. company to launch a company-wide effort towards meeting the EPA’s National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) waste minimization standards.
As a new partner in the national program, Philips Lighting has committed to reducing the amount of mercury used in the manufacturing of their fluorescent lamps by 780 pounds by the end of 2007.In addition, the company has committed to eliminating the amount of lead in all of their U.S. lamp manufacturing processes by 1.5 million pounds by 2010. According to the EPA, Philips Lighting reduction in mercury and lead is a cut worthy of national attention since it represents 37% of the EPA’s national chemical reduction goal for 2011 for all businesses and companies reporting priority chemicals.
Philips Lighting will continue to refine the technology modifications and product designs it first developed in 1995 to further reduce the levels of mercury in its fluorescent lamps and the lead in all its lighting products.With the planned changes, Philips Lighting will continue to reduce mercury levels, particularly in its fluorescent lighting.The change equates to nearly two tons of mercury reduction in the manufacture of light bulbs over the next five years. Additionally, Philips has committed to reducing the level, and in some cases, completely eliminating all of the lead in the base and glass sleeves of its incandescent bulbs by 2010.
Philips’ efforts have already taken more than 48,500 pounds of mercury out of its lighting products since 1995 and in effect, out of the environment through non-use.
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