TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Environment (MOE, 環境部) will launch a lighting replacement promotion from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, encouraging citizens to recycle old light tubes and bulbs at designated stores and purchase LED alternatives. Participants can register on the event website to enter a prize draw.
Wong Wen-ying (翁文穎), a division chief at the MOE's Resource Circulation Administration (資源循環署) fund management committee, noted that traditional light tubes and bulbs may contain mercury, joining this recycling activity and switching to LED can expedite the phase-out of these products for environmental benefits.
Wong further explained that LED lights last four times longer and are more energy-efficient. Switching a single 16-watt LED bulb for a 32-watt traditional bulb in a three-bedroom, two-living-room household using 20 bulbs can save NT$2,000 in electricity and reduce carbon emissions by 200 kilograms annually.
The MOE has partnered with 250 stores, including wholesale chain Shiaw Shiaw Shiaw International Co., Ltd. (光南大批發), Carrefour (家樂福), TRPlus (特力屋), A.mart (愛買), and Dancelight (舞光). Participants completing the activity can win prizes such as laptops, mobile phones, and electronic gift vouchers.
Since initiating traditional lighting recycling in 2012, the MOE has accumulated 97,420 metric tons of recycled materials, achieving a recycling rate of over 90%. The ministry aims to reach a 95% recycling rate by 2025, underscoring the value of circular utilization.
