Eco-friendly light bulbs causing ecocatastrophe

• Source: Global Times
• [04:59 September 01 2009]
• Comments

Since the government launched its energy-saving bulb program in 1996, China has been both the biggest bulb producer and exporter in the world. Photo: CFP 

Guizhou Power Grid Corporation hands out 500 free light bulbs to the village of Raorao, city of Guiyang, Guizhou Province, on July 9. Photo: IC

By Peng Yining

Liu Chongxin earns a living from other people's castoffs, or at least those castoffs that are worth recycling.

"Energy-saving bulbs? Don't want them. Nobody recycles that," said the 47-year-old trash expert frisking through garbage up over his knees, sifting for items like paper boards,
iron wires or plastic bottles.

"These old bulbs are worthless and their shards cut my feet."