Energy-Saving Bulbs Sell Big At Wal-Mart

Retail Giant Hits 100 Million Mark On Compact Fluorescents Ahead Of Schedule

(AP)  Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reached an annual target of selling 100 million energy-efficient light bulbs ahead of schedule after heavily marketing them as a way for consumers to save money and fight global warming, the retailer said Tuesday.

The world's largest retailer set the target, which roughly doubled its previous annual sales, late last year as part of a series of green policies. It expanded shelf space, cut prices and ran ads for the swirly compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs.

Environmentalists and manufacturers said Wal-Mart's push has helped boost national demand for the efficient bulbs.

Backers including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency say CFLs use one-third the energy of a traditional incandescent bulb, last up to 10 times longer and save $30 or more in energy costs over their lifetime.

Last year, an estimated 150 million CFLs were sold nationally, and the number may be twice that this year thanks to Wal-Mart's contribution, said Noah Horowitz, senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Less than 10 percent of light sockets in North America have a CFL rather than a traditional bulb, up from 2 percent three years ago, according to manufacturer Philips Lighting, a division of Royal Philips Electronics NV.

Wal-Mart's executive in charge of environmental strategy, Andrew Ruben, said the 100 millionth CFL was sold over the weekend at one of Wal-Mart's roughly 4,000 U.S. stores and Sam's Clubs.

Wal-Mart achieved the target by raising awareness of CFLs and lowering prices, Ruben said.

Wal-Mart worked with suppliers to reduce CFL prices by about half, to around $1.65 per for the equivalent of a 60-watt incandescent bulb from around $2.40 a year ago. That compares to about 24 cents for the incandescent bulb.

It raised awareness by expanding shelf space for CFLs as well as promoting them in-store, in ads and through campaigns with other groups.

Wal-Mart has not yet set a new target for CFL sales.

[edjohn66]

... if only Wal Mart would help their workers as much as this move helps the environment...

[erinye_fury]

Don''t forget the CLFs each contain a small bit of mercury that must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

[michellem99-2009]

I tryed them and they can''t be used where we live as the wire is old. Them are not allowed. They should leave the lights as they are and change what works. I don''t like WAL-MALL and I

[michellem99-2009]

I boycoott them. Sorry can''t see the botton that well

[fairandbal]

... if only Wal Mart would help their workers as much as this move helps the environment...

Posted by edjohn66 at 04:41 PM : Oct 02, 2007

I think the term you''re looking for is ''green washing''. making their environmental record sound better than it is just to boost sales. but if you really look at it, environmental issues really do include social justice as well. you can''t just take care of the environment and leave the people in the dust. we''re all part of our environment. So, WalMart... start working on your health care for your workers as well as selling more light bulbs.

[incog-nito]

Yes, people need all the savings they can get from these bulbs, especially since their real wages have been going down from outsourcing and job losses thanks to companies like... Wal-Mart.

And the cycle continues.

[pilgrimsway-2009]

Hello adopted Esther, in 1966; you were originally (Meehan), were you born on 9,26,1963? I am your sister Sharon L. Contact V. Tierney at Catholic Home Bureau, NY.

[delfmast]

Franklin D. Lomax, of editorialstaff writes: The 34 curly bulbs installed in our older style fixtures have such brightness that we had to turn half of them out to reduce the incredibly bright light in our home. All Free World Peoples should immediately switch to LED or CFL bulbs, as it will become a major step to deny our Petro Dollars to the terrorist financiers who hope to turn out all our lights, and the lights of freedom. Better we put them into the caves with efficient bulbs, and North American oil sands and shale. The sooner the better.

[neobrian-2009]

Everybody thinks we are so far ahead of Latin America,...When I was in Peru for over 3 months,I saw literally no regular light bulbs in use. They had energy-savings bulbs in every fixture.

[rgold02]

I think these bulbs are great! I am saving about $20.00 per month by using them! They never blow out either.