UK's first superstore combined recycling scheme launched

by ClickGreen staff. Published Fri 16 Oct 2009 12:09

Sainsbury’s and specialist light bulb recycling company Recolight have agreed to run a scheme to collect end-of-life energy-saving light bulbs and batteries from Sainsbury’s stores.

Sainsbury’s has become the first retailer to offer the joint collection of light bulbs and batteries from consumers, and will commence before the end of 2009, to be rolled out across up to 200 of Sainsbury’s larger stores by the end of January 2010.

Commenting on the announcement, Sainsbury’s Environmental Affairs Manager, Jack Cunningham said “Energy-saving light bulbs contain a minute amount of mercury, and it is therefore important to recycle them. Battery collections also become a requirement in the UK from early in 2010.

“Sainsbury’s is therefore delighted to be the first National UK retailer to launch a co-collection scheme for both waste streams. The scheme will use the transport services of an existing supplier to Sainsbury’s.

“That means that two additional waste streams will be collected with no increase in carbon footprint.”

Consumers can currently recycle end-of-life energy-saving light bulbs at any of the country’s 1,100 civic amenity sites. However, this partnership is an important step in providing consumers with a wider range of options to make recycling CFLs as easy as possible.

Recolight Chief Executive Nigel Harvey said “Recolight is a not for profit organisation dedicated to maximising the recycling of Gas Discharge Lamps (GDLs) which includes energy-saving light bulbs. We have already had considerable success keeping commercial lamps out of landfill.

“Working with Sainsbury’s will help us to significantly increase the number of consumer lamps that are recycled. Research has indicated that consumers will recycle energy-saving light bulbs if they have access to suitable drop off points. Sainsbury’s stores provide an excellent location for these joint collections.”

The scheme will use specially designed collection containers, placed at the recycling areas of larger stores. All light bulbs and batteries collected will be sent for recycling at approved treatment facilities. One facility used by Recolight sends the cleaned waste glass from light bulbs to a European manufacturer, for re-incorporation into new lamp production.

Commenting on the initiative Defra Environment Minister, Dan Norris, said; “I am pleased to hear of this development. Using energy efficient light bulbs can save a consumer £70 off their bills, and will save 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2020. It’s important that people can buy these bulbs and dispose of them properly, and so an energy-saving light bulb recycling service alongside battery collections will make it easier for people, which is great news.”