This August, home-furnishing giant IKEA will remove all incandescent bulbs from its shelves, replacing them with energy-efficient CFL bulbs. The store will also carry LED and halogen lamps. Known for its sleek (if not necessarily long-lasting) furniture and signature Swedish meatballs, IKEA's environmental footprint isn't exactly tiny. Nevertheless, we're pleased to see the retailer taking the lead on eco-friendly lighting.
IKEA will be the first retailer to phase out incandescents, but they won't be alone for long. A federal mandate set to take effect in 2012 will require all light bulbs to use 30 percent less energy.The upcoming national light bulb shift will also change lamp design and recycling programs.
In 2001, IKEA became the first retailer to offer a CFL take-back program , addressing the growing need to keep the CFLs, which contain a small amount of mercury, out of landfills. Home Depot followed suit with a similar program, but other big-box outlets, such as Walmart, have yet to offer safe CFL disposal options for consumers.
IKEA will be the first retailer to phase out incandescents, but they won't be alone for long. A federal mandate set to take effect in 2012 will require all light bulbs to use 30 percent less energy.The upcoming national light bulb shift will also change lamp design and recycling programs.
In 2001, IKEA became the first retailer to offer a CFL take-back program , addressing the growing need to keep the CFLs, which contain a small amount of mercury, out of landfills. Home Depot followed suit with a similar program, but other big-box outlets, such as Walmart, have yet to offer safe CFL disposal options for consumers.
--Della Watson