California, Texas Leading in SYLVANIA 40 for the Future Earth Day Challenge

DANVERS, Mass., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- With Earth Day on the horizon, more than 4,200 consumers coast to coast in the United State and in Canada have saved nearly 20 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy as part of the SYLVANIA 40 for the Future Earth Day Challenge.  Participation in the North American lighting leader's challenge leads in California, with Texas in second place around the half-way mark.  Pennsylvania, Florida and Illinois also follow close behind.

The 40 for the Future Earth Day Challenge is inspiring consumers and businesses to save a collective 40 million kWh throughout the 40 days leading up to April 22nd.  Visitors to www.earthday.sylvania.com are invited to fill out an easy form outlining the actions they plan to take to help save energy in honor of Earth Day.  An online meter calculates, in real-time, the hours saved from these pledges and commitments.

"The 40 for the Future Earth Day Challenge is showing consumers how little, everyday acts can make a big difference in saving energy," said Jennifer Dolin, OSRAM SYLVANIA marketing manager of sustainability and environmental affairs.  "We're thrilled to reach the half-way milestone of the challenge and see so many consumers passionate about this mission."  

To put numbers into perspective, 40 million KWh is the amount of lighting used annually in 20,513 homes(1), however, 40 for the Future doesn't just focus on lighting – simple actions, such as unplugging a phone charger or turning down the thermostat by one degree can mean big savings for both the environment and your wallet.  The 40 for the Future's most popular energy-saving techniques have been unplugging electronic devices overnight, air-drying clothes and dishes and switching to energy-efficient light compact fluorescent light bulbs in the home.

"We see that the level of participation has been highest in California and Texas and we hope consumers and business in other areas of the U.S. and Canada will step up to the challenge to 'green' their local homes and communities this Earth Day and beyond," Dolin said.

All those who take the SYLVANIA 40 for the Future Earth Day Challenge are rewarded with a coupon for $1-off the new SYLVANIA Halogen SUPERSAVER® bulb or a SYLVANIA CFL, valid at participating retail locations.  In addition, one entry each day, for the full 40 days, will be selected in a random drawing to receive a new SYLVANIA 40 watt replacement LED Ultra light bulb and weekly winners will be selected in a random drawing to receive annual passes to The National Parks system. All winners are featured and celebrated on the 40 for the Future homepage.  Finally, a Grand Prize Winner will be the lucky recipient of a carbon-neutral, three-night Disneyland® vacation for four that includes airfare, hotel and park passes.  Daily winners and campaign updates will be announced on Twitter @SYLVANIA.  

Paying It Forward to the Next Generation

To offset(2) the carbon emissions from the Grand Prize Winner trip, SYLVANIA is also offering the chance for one lucky classroom to receive a lighting upgrade.  This drawing is offered to K-12 educators in a public or private school in the United States and eligible entrants must take the lessons of the "40 for the Future Earth Day Challenge" to their students.  To help, SYLVANIA has provided links to tools for educators to help teach students about the importance and environmental benefits of energy-efficient practices and how easy they can be.

For more information about the 40 for the Future Earth Day Challenge and SYLVANIA innovative and energy-efficient lighting products for the home and office, please visit http://earthday.sylvania.com.  Here you will also find online coupons for SYLVANIA ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs, including the Micro-Mini and Living Spaces™ CFLs, and the SYLVANIA Halogen SUPERSAVER® light bulb.

About OSRAM SYLVANIA

OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions that feature innovative design and energy saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens AG.  Visit us at www.sylvania.com. Follow us at www.twitter.com/sylvania.

(1) Based on data from the US Census Bureau and ENERGY STAR

(2) Carbon neutrality calculated based on trip for 4 and includes cross-country air travel and ground transportation

SOURCE OSRAM SYLVANIA