filed under Activism | Brown | Environment | Good Ideas
For Real Free Lightbulbs from Brown and Wal-Mart
9:44PM ON
09/02/2008
BY
Ari Savitzky
How did you spend your summer?
A couple lucky Brown students made a cool ten bucks an hour working with the University and Wal-Mart to install CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) lightbulbs for FREE all around the city for middle and low income households.
It’s called project 20/20, and you might be able to still get in on the action. Tipster J writes:
i got it done and it was RAD. also the number is 401 863 7976 or email them at proj2020@gmail.com
Brown Alumni Mag has a nice feature on project director Prof. Steve Hamburg, who admits very early on in the story that he is not generally a Wal-Mart shopper. But he’s got some high praise for the company’s willingness to jump on the CFL bandwagon:
If the company meets its goal, Hamburg says, “By 2011, Wal-Mart customers will be emitting 100 million metric tons less carbon dioxide a year, eliminating the need for seven average-sized power plants.” That’s comparable to the total annual electrical consumption of all the houses in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and Vermont.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:27AM
Dave Segal Says:
Nice that Wal-Mart did this. Let’s get them to install CFL’s — or electrical generators — in the homes of the people who work in their sweatshops abroad.
I think it’s reasonable to exploit Wal-Mart’s need for positive press here. But it’s oh-so-clear why they’re doing what they’re doing.
[Reply]
October 25th, 2008 at 12:28AM
Brenda Lataille Says:
Hello,
I was wondering if you could provide me with information about getting free CFL bulbs for my home. Has the program ended, if so, do you know who could help me? It would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
-Brenda Lataille
[Reply]
October 25th, 2008 at 6:36PM
Ari Says:
Dunno!
Have you tried the contact info on the website?
[Reply]