For Immediate Release
November 22, 2007

John Baird Helps Home Depot Launch National Recycling Challenge

(OTTAWA) - Earlier today, Ottawa West-Nepean Member of Parliament John Baird, joined with The Home Depot Canada to challenge Canadians to start recycling their compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.  Mr. Baird was at The Home Depot location in Nepean to call on Canadians to recycle 1.5 million bulbs by 2011.

"Canadians want their Government to take a leadership role on the environment, but they also want to do their part and that's what today's challenge is all about," said Mr. Baird.  "Last April our Government announced our intention to ban inefficient lighting and today, we are challenging Canadians to get started by recycling their compact fluorescent light bulbs."

In April 2007, Canada’s Government introduced national standards for lighting efficiency that will come into force by 2012.  This initiative is expected to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by more than 6 million tonnes per year and help Canadians save approximately $50 on their electrical bills over the course of one year.  

“Our Government is serious about tackling climate change and as we move forward we will need private businesses and corporations to help the government make it easier for Canadians to achieve our environmental goals,” said Mr. Baird.

The Home Depot is offering a light bulb recycling unit located at the entrance of stores.  Customers can bring in their expired light bulbs, place them in one of the plastic bags provided and deposit it into the display. Each store monitors the unit and once full, sends the expired light bulbs to be responsibly recycled.  The recycled components will be used in creating a host of new products, including glass bottles and jars, baseball bats and products for the lighting industries.

Photo (L-R):  Fatima Dharsee of Clean Air Foundation, John Baird, MP (Ottawa West-Nepean) and Todd Garrow, Manager of The Home Depot in Nepean, take up the challenge to help recycle 1.5 million compact fluorescent bulbs.

Further information:
Office of John Baird, MP                                                         
Ottawa West-Nepean
613-996-0984