IKEA Canada To Phase Out Incandescent Lighting by January, 2011

-IKEA To Be The First Canadian Retailer To Phase Out Incandescent Bulbs-

BURLINGTON, ON, June 15 /CNW/ - Switch On. Switch Off. Switch Over. Starting August 1, 2010, IKEA Canada will begin to phase out all incandescent light bulbs in their Canadian stores. This recent IKEA environmental initiative has a target date of incandescent bulb elimination by January 1, 2011, which is ahead of the federal government ban set to take effect in 2012. IKEA will be the first Canadian retailer to completely phase out incandescent light bulbs, further illustrating the company's on-going environmental commitment to helping Canadians live a more sustainable life at home.

"As the leaders of life at home, IKEA is committed to continually offering our customers environmentally responsible solutions to live a more sustainable life at home," says Kerri Molinaro, President of IKEA Canada. "Eliminating incandescent bulbs is another simple step IKEA is taking to help our customers save energy, and reduce emissions. It's a small step, with a big impact."

In a recent environmental study of consumer behaviour, over 51 per cent of Canadians said they are buying products and making enhancements to their homes in order to save energy and be more efficient (2010 Canadian Green Gap Index*). An average Canadian home has 30 light fixtures, indoors and out, that consume close to $200 of electricity every year. Replacing just five bulbs with qualified CFLs in high-use areas can save up to $30 a year. By making the switch, it's a 'win win' for both the customer and the environment.

IKEA customers will have a good choice of other effective energy saving bulbs. While the compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) is the most popular option, IKEA also offers a range of alternative energy saving lighting options including: LED lamps which are 70 per cent more efficient than using incandescent bulbs, IKEA Halogen lamps which consume 30 per cent less energy and solar powered lamps including their SUNNAN desk lamp and their SOLIG range of outdoor lights. IKEA will also launch a new "halogen retrofit" bulb this fall, which can be used with a standard light socket.

Clearly, Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb discovery was a landmark 19th century invention. But times have changed. New discoveries prevail. And everyday sustainability practices are important to IKEA customers.

Did You Know?

IKEA offers lighting solutions that are more efficient and have less impact on the environment.

    
    -   CFLs last 6-10 times longer (6,000 - 10,000 vs. 1,000 hours) and use
        80 per cent less energy. Plus they save $30 or more in energy costs
        over each bulb's lifetime. (EnergyStar.gov)
    -   If each of Canada's 12 million households replaced one 60-watt
        incandescent bulb with a 15-watt CFL, we would save a total of up to
        $108 million a year in energy costs. And we would reduce greenhouse
        gas emissions by about 360,000 tonnes - the same result as if we took
        more than 73,000 cars off the road. (Canadian GHG Challenge Registry
        Guide to Entity & Facility-Based Reporting)
    -   If you replace five regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent
        bulbs - you will reduce greenhouse gases by 150 kilograms a year.
    -   Each CFL bulb saves 78 pounds of CO2 emissions each year.
        (GreenBiz.com)
    -   Halogen bulbs use 30 per cent less energy and last 2-4 times longer
        than conventional bulbs. (IKEA Group)
    -   IKEA LED lights use 70 per cent less energy and burn at least 20
        times longer than a standard incandescent bulb. (IKEA Group)
    

CFLs contain a small, controlled, non-harmful amount of mercury and - similar to paint, batteries and thermostats - must be disposed of properly according to local regulations. IKEA Canada is proud to have offered a "Free Take Back" program for CFLs at all 11 locations in Canada since 2001. This program also offers free recycling of batteries.

* The 2010 Canadian Green Gap Index is the second annual index and is a joint initiative between Optimum Public Relations and Summerhill. The two companies have consulted together to build award-winning environmental engagement and communication strategies for Fortune 500 companies, leading NGOs, and public sector organizations.

About IKEA

IKEA is a leading home furnishings retailer with 267 stores in 25 countries worldwide, which are visited by 590 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 11 stores which are visited by over 25 million people every year. Last year the ikea.com websites attracted 561 million visitors. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA and our sustainability program, please visit: www.ikea.ca/theneverendinglist

For further information: or to schedule an interview with an IKEA spokesperson, please contact: STEFANIE NIEWADA, ACCOUNT MANAGER, OPTIMUM PUBLIC RELATIONS, T: 416 934 8020, [email protected]