Shops switch to low-energy

28 September 2007

Britain's supermarkets and energy suppliers yesterday revealed they have agreed to stop selling tungsten filament light bulbs by 2011.

The voluntary initiative will see the traditional bulbs beginning to disappear from shop shelves next year and replaced with a wider range of low-energy compact fluorescent light bulbs.

The move, which has the full backing of environment secretary Hilary Benn, is likely to see CO2 emissions from domestic properties reduced by five million tonnes a year by 2012.

Kevin Hawkins, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said the scheme was evidence retailers are committed to playing an active role in helping consumers to reduce their carbon footprint.

"This is just the latest in a number of initiatives in which retailers are helping to shape consumer habits through the promotion of energy-saving products," he added.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates a household that replaces all its light bulbs with low-energy equivalents will save £600 in electricity costs over the life of the bulbs.