Recolight are actively following a path of reducing the carbon emissions of our operations. In 2021, we set a target to be Net Zero by 2030, but we now know this will not be possible with the technologies currently available to us. However, we continue to pursue emissions reductions by regularly evaluating our logistics and other operational activities, without using carbon offsets.
Recolight was the first UK WEEE scheme to set this goal. This covers scopes 1,2 and 3.
An independent environmental contractor assessed our baseline 2019 carbon footprint, and we monitor our progress by setting annual carbon emissions reduction targets.
There are real world challenges to reaching our goal, but Recolight are totally committed to the process and hope to reach a successful outcome just as soon as possible.
Recolight’s Net Zero Actions
Several actions are already underway to achieve our net zero goal.
Collection and delivery for lamps: Offering additional containers to our collection partners, thus reducing the number of visits needed to collect. Investigating trial of an electric mobile crushing vehicle..
Collection and delivery for luminaires: Reducing the distance travelled by using recyclers closer to the collection point.
Lamp treatment: The Recolight tender for lamp treatment now includes additional areas for assessment.
- Adaptation: space heating/cooling, energy source, energy efficiency measures, plastics, no distillation of powders.
- Mitigation: preparation for flooding, power failures, heatwaves, superstorms etc.
Luminaire treatment: Recolight are leading an industry working group on net zero for the WEEE sector.
Influencing: Recolight’s plans for net zero were presented to EucoLight members at the annual conference in May.
Recolight’s Net Zero suggestions for regulators
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- Net zero plans to be a condition of Producer Compliance Schemes approval for annual Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF) license.
- All AATFs required to have reuse capability.
- Separate reuse targets and/or material incentives to meet collection targets using reuse.
- Energy recovery of plastics without carbon capture storage should not count towards targets.
- Extend time limits for WEEE collection under S2 waste exemption and Non Waste Framework Directive exemption .
- Tackle the destruction of brand new, compliant product.
Update on achieving the Recolight Net Zero target
The Recolight Net Zero target was set back in 2021. We said that we would not use carbon offsets.
To keep our focus on this most essential of targets, we also agreed annual carbon reduction targets.
So how have we done?
