Over the next six months, residents in the South West District can have their used light bulbs exchanged for vouchers to buy energy-efficient bulbs at cost price.

The South West Community Development Council (CDC) launched Singapore's first light bulb recycling programme on Sunday as part of the district's drive towards environmental sustainability. To get the vouchers, residents can bring their used bulbs to 30 Residents' Committee Centres across the district that have been equipped with light bulb recycling bins.

Five per cent of the proceeds from the sales of the energy-efficient light bulbs will go towards providing lower-income residents with energy-efficient bulbs to help them save energy and cost.

Lighting recycler Global Lamp Recyclers will collect the used bulbs every month, dismantle them and recycle them as raw materials for other industries.

The South West CDC also partnered lighting company General Electric Lighting, which will sponsor 2,000 energy-efficient light bulbs for 500 lower-income families and vulnerable elderly living in one- to three-room flats in the district.

The Recycle-A-Bulb programme is part of the district's ninth annual recycling drive, Clean Up South West! 2014. It is organised by the South West CDC, the National Environment Agency (South West Regional Office) and supported by grassroots organisations in the district.