Recolight encourages Local Authorities to return commercial waste lamps to HWRCs

Recolight currently collects waste lamps from a significant proportion of the UK’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).  The company is today writing to all its Local Authority Partners, to confirm that they may choose to deposit waste lamps from commercial sources in Recolight containers.  These could include schools, offices, leisure centres and similar.

This change should result in significant cost savings to Local Authorities, as they may well be charged for such commercial waste lamp collections, whereas collections from HWRCs are free of charge.

The new approach is possible following the implementation of “dual use” classification.  This confirms that WEEE from commercial sources that is similar to WEEE from consumers is to be considered as Household WEEE.  Government guidance confirms that gas discharge, LED and sodium lamps are all to be classified as household.  So all such lamps can be placed in Recolight containers on Local Authority HWRC sites.

Commenting on the announcement, Recolight Chief Executive Nigel Harvey said “We are pleased to be able to offer Local Authorities the chance to save money in this way.  The dual use decision was an appropriate move by Government, and our announcement is a logical extension of that decision.”

“This change also means our containers are used more efficiently.  If they fill up faster, then the same container is yielding greater collection tonnages.”

The only waste lamps that cannot be deposited in these Recolight containers are those classified as business lamps.  Examples in the Government guidance are stadium lighting, and cinema projection lamps.

The decision to adopt this new approach rests with the Local Authority.

Before announcing this change, Recolight received confirmation from Defra and the Environment Agency that the approach is acceptable.