Bright idea to stock up on light bulbs

Wairarapa people are taking a dim view of law changes that will see traditional light bulbs phased out in favour of eco-friendly ones, and are buying up the "old" ones in bulk while they still can.
Supermarkets are doing a roaring trade in incandescent light bulbs as people, especially older people, seek to stock up on what they claim is a brighter light than the new versions, and according to some experts still a much safer bulb.
Hardware manager at New World in Queen Street, Masterton, Deby Turner said "we are selling them by the tray".
"Although we are selling some of the eco bulbs many people are flocking to get the old ones as they want to keep the bright lights going for as long as they can."
Wairarapa is not alone in the light bulb buying spree, as customers across the country stock up.
There has been a public backlash over the eco bulbs that, while lasting a lot longer than incandescent bulbs, give off a subdued light and, according to research, are a mercury risk.
Likely mercury leakage from broken eco bulbs is looming as a major stumbling block to their popularity with customers, and the risk from escaping mercury vapour from broken bulbs is acknowledged by some local bodies in rules covering their disposal.
In some centres the spent eco bulbs have to be taken to a specified council site and handed over for expert disposal.
In Masterton no specific policy has yet been determined on how the bulbs should be handled.
James Li, of Masterton District Council, said the district no longer has a landfill facility and people having bulbs to dispose of presumably wrap them and put them in the rubbish bags for eventual transport to Bonny Glen.
He said there are procedures for "other nasties" but anything pertaining to light bulbs is likely to be included in a review of the council's waste management policy, scheduled for later in the year.
There has also been widespread scepticism over claims the eco bulbs last up to nine years under normal household use, and of supposed energy savings. To further complicate matters at least one manufacturer Osram is about to launch another new bulb on to the market.
This is a Halogen Energy Saver light bulb that does not contain mercury and is claimed to save up to 30 per cent of energy expended by a standard light globe.