Promised bulbs on their way

The Resources Ministry yesterday launched a scheme for the distribution of energy-saving bulbs to all households, a measure promised before the general election a year ago.

Vouchers that can be redeemed for bulbs from hardware outlets will be mailed to all households following the registration of wholesalers and retailers. Each voucher will be individually identifiable by a unique number that will be entered into a database by the wholesaler. Households with up to two people will receive five bulbs, those of between three and four persons will get eight and bigger households will get 10.

A notice published in the Government Gazette includes schedules for wholesalers and sellers to register to participate in the scheme.

Sellers will be required to stock bulbs from at least three different brands but they will supply bulbs of one brand for each voucher. The wholesaler will be refunded by the Malta Resources Authority at €4 for each bulb.

Applications from wholesalers and retailers will be received by the MRA from next Monday.

The Resources Ministry said €4 million were allocated for the scheme, which, it added, was in line with efforts to cut energy consumption, reduce emissions and phase out traditional light bulbs.

Energy-saving bulbs use a fifth of the energy needed for traditional bulbs and last 12 times longer.

The bulbs to be distributed to households must last at least 10,000 hours.