MILFORD Conn. The Subway sandwich chain said it would replace one regular incandescent light bulb with an energy-saving compact fluorescent bulb in each of its more than 22,000 stores as part of Energy Star’s Change a Light, Change the World program.
Subway said the light bulb replacement, which begins Oct. 1, would reduce the chain’s annual energy consumption by an estimated 1.9 million kilowatt-hours. The Milford-based franchisor said the energy savings was equivalent to preventing 3 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, or the effect of removing more than 275 cars from the road for one year.
Subway also said it partnered with the federal Energy Star program to encourage consumers to take the same actions in their homes. A link on Subway.com directs people to the Energy Star website, where they can pledge to replace at least one of their light bulbs with energy-saving versions.
Subway has taken a number of ecologically minded steps in recent months, including the construction of “Eco-Stores,” whose features include energy-efficient equipment, skylights and recycled building equipment. The first Eco-Store opened last November in Kissimmee, Fla., and Subway said it has since built four more in other areas and has additional Eco-Stores in development.