New standards promoting energy-efficient light bulbs and the phasing out of older incandescent bulbs take effect in the new year in B.C.
The Ministry of Energy states that effective Jan. 1 retailers can only continue to carry the old incandescent 75 and 100-watt bulbs until their stock runs out, although other incandescent wattages can continue to remain on store shelves. Consumers will be required to buy more efficient options such as compact fluorescent light bulbs. Over seven million compact fluorescent light bulbs are sold annually in the province and 78 per cent of B.C. homes are already using them, the ministry says.
The new B.C. standards lead up to the federal government's national light bulb efficiency standards, which will apply to most wattage levels sold across the country in 2012. Several specialty products are exempted from the B.C. and federal standards.
For information, call the Recycling Council of B.C. hotline at 604-732-9253 in the Lower Mainland or 1-800-667-4321 in the rest of B.C.
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