Wal-Mart Touts Green Private Label Bulbs in 3,000 Stores

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said yesterday it has launched a line of private label compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) under the Great Value brand label. The energy-efficient light bulbs are hitting shelves in more than 3,000 Wal-Mart stores and Supercenters nationwide, and they're being sold at the value price of four bulbs for the cost of three regularly priced brand name CFLs, according to Wal-Mart.

"We want to make eco-friendly living more affordable for our customers," said Wal-Mart SVP and general merchandise manager Andy Barron in a statement. "The introduction of our Great Value bulbs make CFLs a more accessible option for our shoppers as we strive to sell 100 million CFLs by the end of 2007."

Barron noted that the company is making "great progress" on that goal. "In reaching this milestone we can help our customers save $3 billion in electrical costs over the life of the bulbs and prevent 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gases from entering our atmosphere," he said.

Wal-Mart's Great Value CFLs carry the EnergyStar seal of approval and are RoHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substance compliant), which means they meet strict European standards for mercury and heavy metal content. The line includes 4-pack CFLs in all wattages, and a 6-pack of 13W CFLs.

With nearly 20 percent of all home electric costs stemming from lighting alone, switching to CFLs can have a tremendous benefit on energy savings, Wal-Mart said. Converting just one conventional 60W bulb to a 13W CFL can save $30 in utility costs over its lifetime, which is more than $5 per bulb per year.
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