11
Questioning the Ban of the Bulb?
1. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) have very few recycling options.
2. The Mercury from one CFL placed in the garbage contaminates
23.000 litres of water and makes it undrinkable.
3. CFLs require 3–10x more materials and energy in their manufacture
than traditional light bulbs.
4. Manufacturers of CFLs are the only sources for data on longterm health
and environmental effects of these bulbs – what is the real story?
5. Lighting use makes up only 1–5% of all private power consumption
in Germany.
6. Manufacturers lobbied governments to push conversion to CFLs
without public consultation.
7. Will the proposed energy reduction of CFLs save the planet?
NO!
The light from our products should achieve much more than allowing you
to work and stay awake at night. For over 40 years we have been working
with light, offering the most appropriate lighting and light source for each
specific need. We have always embraced new technologies: since 1983 low-
voltage halogen, since 1997 LEDs, and since 2006 OLEDs.
We think the quality of an incandescent light bulb has no substitute. We do
not intend to turn our backs on change, but we disapprove of the CFLs as
the “one and only” light source. We believe that a large number of human
beings feel uneasy in this light. Also, there are many facts that challenge
the eco-friendliness of the so-called energy-saving bulbs. Inspite of all the
critical responses, the EU guidelines were implemented in Autumn 2009.
As a result we will be forced to use these new light sources.
Including CFLs in our products, with just a shrug of the shoulders, is like
putting lipstick on a pig, and it isn’t what we want to offer our customers.
We are actively researching energy-efficient light sources which also provide
quality light. Developing and manufacturing our own solutions, has become
the only option for us. The Birds family is one example. Regrettably there
are other lamps, for which it will be problematic to find a solution for a
reasonable price.
To stay informed, talk to your local retailer or visit our website www.ingo-
maurer.com to find out more about up-to-date information on individual
light sources. It is likely that the content of this catalogue will be outdated
within a few short months. Our recommendation is Civil Diso-
bedience, the creation of private stocks of lights, and an ongoing chal-
lenge to this legislation. We also encourage continued efforts to save energy
in any way possible, everyday, and not just in household lighting.
For the complete manifesto visit our News section at www.ingo-maurer.com
(March 2009)
