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60W Switch Over: Britain Faces Recycling Confusion

This September will see the Government begin the phase out of all 60W incandescent light bulbs. By switching bulbs, Britain hopes to save a million tonnes of C02 emissions and around £960 million.
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As part of the European Union strategy on climate change, this September will see the Government phase out of 60W incandescent light bulbs take effect. By switching its bulbs, Britain hopes to save a million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, the equivalent of taking more than 150,000 cars off the roads.

In the UK we spend £2.4 billion lighting our homes each year, but waste an incredible £170 million by leaving lights on unnecessarily. With lighting accounting for 10-15% of our electricity bills, the UK could save around £960 million per year if every household only used low-energy light bulbs. The electricity saved would be enough to power the Blackpool illuminations for almost 900 years.

Despite their energy saving capacity, there is a concern about the use of mercury in low-energy bulbs. Low-energy light bulbs contain a tiny amount of mercury giving them their energy-saving properties. Whilst this isn’t harmful on its own, if large quantities of these bulbs are left to go to landfill they could be damaging to the environment. Only 18% of people know that low-energy bulbs need to be recycled and, worryingly 40% admit they would put used low-energy light bulbs in their normal rubbish.

. Introduction:

This September the UK will be thrown into a low energy glow as the Government and retailers work together to phase out all 60W light bulbs as part of the EU strategy on climate change. Low-energy bulbs have the potential to save UK households millions of pounds every year, however not many Brits are aware that the bulbs need to be disposed of carefully. Only 18% of people know they need to be recycled as they contain a tiny amount of mercury, which could be harmful if put into normal household rubbish.

So what does the phase out mean for both the environment and consumers?

Joining us to discuss this further is Nigel Harvey, a recycling expert from Recolight, a not for profit organisation helping consumers recycle their bulbs.

. Suggested Questions:

How much money could be potentially saved in our local area if every household swapped to low energy bulbs?

Where can people in our local area recycle their low-energy light bulbs?

What are the main benefits of low-energy light bulbs – are they really worth the swap?

How will the light bulb phase out affect consumers this September?

Why is it so important to recycle low-energy light bulbs correctly – and how do we do it?

Many people see recycling as a chore – what is being done to make it easier for consumers?

Where can we find out more information?