5000 bulbs go out

ALMOST 5000 incandescent light bulbs have been replaced with energy efficient ones in the Gippsland coastal villages as part of a free Bendigo Bank campaign.
Bendigo Bank’s Generation Green Ban the Bulb campaign has been running since the start of October, including at the Tooradin branch, and will continue until mid-December.
It gives home and business owners the chance to replace their incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving ones, installed free of charge by local community volunteer groups.
In the Gippsland coastal village areas of Tooradin, Kooweerup, Lang Lang and Bunyip, more than 1500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions have been prevented by the exchange of energy efficient globes, which is the equivalent of taking 560 cars off the road for a whole year.
The branches have also raised $10,000 for local Lions and Rotary clubs. Darryl Sutcliffe from the Tooradin and Coastal Villages Bendigo Bank branch said the community response to the program had been overwhelming.
“We have had a lot of people coming in and asking about ban the bulb, with more than 300 locals signing up to get their old bulbs changed over for new environmentally friendly ones at no cost to them,” Mr Sutcliffe said.
“And you don’t have to bank with us to take part in the campaign, simply come into the branch and we can organise everything for you.”
To get bulbs replaced free of charge visit the Tooradin, Kooweerup, Lang Lang or Bunyip branches.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with AGL Energy, Low Energy Supplies and Services, Carbon Down, the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) and the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Fund.