Co-operative to switch off energy inefficient light bulbs by 2010

The Co-operative, which earlier this year became the first supermarket to announce its plan to stop selling traditional tungsten filament light bulbs, has set itself the target of pulling the plug on them completely by 2010 at the latest.

This will be a full 12 months before the industry’s voluntary initiative, announced today (27 September) by the Government.

Next month, 50 Co-operative stores will pilot the removal of traditional bulbs and by 2010 all the Group’s 2,300 food outlets will only stock energy efficient alternatives.

As precursor to these developments, the Group has overhauled its offering of energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs and providing a much broader range. Going forward, there will be a reduced price differential and enhanced customer awareness campaign.

Energy saving light bulbs use 75 per cent less energy, last up to 12 times longer and can reduce electricity bills by £9 per bulb per year or £100 over the bulb’s lifetime but despite the false economies, energy inefficient light bulbs still dominate UK markets at 80 per cent.