UK house dwellers keen to stock up on bulbs
Customers are set to besiege stores in order to get their mitts on a certain style of light bulb before they disappear altogether.
The EU is going to ban sales of the widely-familiar tungsten bulb – which has been used for over 100 years – as of September. However, with nine months until the deadline, supermarkets as well as other hardware retailers expect to run out of the item in a matter of weeks.
At present, consumers are being pressured into switching to compact fluorescent bulbs. Despite supposedly being energy-saving though, many critics argue they are considerably more expensive and also nowhere near as bright.
In the past three years, both 100 and 60 watt versions of tungstens disappeared from all shelves after the former environment minister at the time, Hilary Benn, was made to announce the switch. Four months ago, 75 watt bulbs became banned too and the remaining tungsten bulbs are set to follow suit while at the same time 40 watt bulbs will go. As if this weren’t enough, 60 watt candles and golf ball-size bulbs, mini-globes, are also disappearing. Since September 2009, it has been a criminal offence to either manufacture or import any pearl incandescent bulb, frosted bulb, or clear bulb with power of 100 watts or more.
On Monday, Tesco was the first major supermarket to announce that it has put its last batch of 40 watt bulbs on its shelves. However, merchandise planning manager, Mr John Wheeler, stressed that although many wish to still use the old light bulbs and will be sad to see them go, the new ones will actually help with saving money.