Street lighting is an important part of the lighting industry and a wide variety of different lamps are used across the UK. However, as these light sources make use of mercury, sodium or a combination of both they are classed as hazardous waste at end of life and must be recycled in accordance with the WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) Regulations.
Street lighting is an important part of the lighting industry and a range of different technologies are used across the UK. However, these light sources come within the scope of the WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) Regulations, and so must be recycled when they reach end of life.
Organisations with a responsibility for street lighting take recycling seriously. The volume of waste lamps coming back for recycling is increasing year after year, and there are millions of street lamps currently in use which will have to be recycled over the coming years once they reach end-of-life.
Recolight is the specialist lighting WEEE compliance scheme and was established by the lighting industry to make sure that recycling of waste lamps takes place and that as many lamps as possible are diverted from landfill. Following the recycling of street lamps, the recovered materials can then be reused in other applications; for example, the crushed glass can be mixed with a new glass melt to make everything from furnace linings to loft insulation, and even new lamps.
Recolight has established a network of over 900 collection points at businesses across the UK, many of which are open to any contractor wanting to dispose of used lamps. You can find your nearest collection point on the Recolight website. What is more, street lighting contractors and local authorities can also contact Recolight to obtain a free container and recycling service, where quantities are sufficient.
Recolight can help businesses and contractors recycle their waste lamps. If you are interested in finding out more about Recolight and how we can help you fulfill your recycling needs, call 0845 601 7749, email [email protected]