In this issue:

An introduction from Eddie Taylor
Welcome to our eighth eNewsletter which comes at an exciting time for.... [VIEW MORE]

Survey results
Thank you to all those who contributed to the RecoNet satisfaction survey conducted throughout February.... [VIEW MORE]

Schools programme
We have just launched our schools education project, the ‘Big Light Project’.... [VIEW MORE]

Know your regulations
Under the Hazardous Waste Regulations any business or site that produces more than 500kg of hazardous waste in total per.... [VIEW MORE]

This month's collection point – Albion Electric
Albion Electric was founded in 1912 and was originally based on Albion Street in the centre of... [VIEW MORE]

A collection point near you
Recolight has 1000 Commercial Collection Points across the.... [VIEW MORE]

Feature your collection point
We would like to feature members' Commercial Collection Points (CCPs) in.... [VIEW MORE]

Ask Recolight
This month we are answering questions raised in the RecoNet satisfaction.... [VIEW MORE]

Welcome to our eighth eNewsletter which comes at an exciting time for Recolight. We have just launched two new major projects designed to help us increase lamp recycling rates amongst householders: these are explained in more detail below. We have also just completed our RecoNet satisfaction survey which will be very useful in shaping the way we develop our services in the future. It was encouraging to learn that our eNewsletter recipients find the updates both informative and interesting. We always welcome suggestions, and are happy to hear your thoughts. We are also keen to feature a collection point in each edition so if you would like to be featured contact us at newsletter@recolight.co.uk

Eddie Taylor, Chief Executive, Recolight

Thank you to all those who contributed to the RecoNet satisfaction survey conducted throughout February. The results were overall very positive and will assist in ensuring that being part of RecoNet truly does make lamp recycling easy, efficient and cost effective for all.

One thing identified from the survey was that some of our closed collection points (i.e. those that don’t accept lamps from other businesses) aren’t aware that they can become an open collection point. Being an open collection point means that businesses in your area that need to dispose of their lamps can use your collection point by prior arrangement with you. All our open collection points are easily located via our online mapping tool and many benefit from the business opportunity arising from providing RecoNet’s lamp recycling service free of charge. One third of the collection points in our survey said they had generated new business through being a RecoNet collection point, and over three quarters said their customers benefit from their collection facility. If you are interested in becoming an open collection point give the team a call on Recoline 0845 601 7749.

We have just launched our schools education project, the ‘Big Light Project’ which aims to help improve public understanding of the differences between CFLs and traditional incandescent light bulbs.  A key message we want to communicate to the public is that CFLs (and other lamps) should be recycled rather than disposed of in domestic waste. 

The project is aimed at children aged 8 – 13 years and will feature ‘Professor Bright, Expert in Light’ – our specially designed character will help to bring the topic alive to children in a fun and engaging way while communicating serious messages about the environment and climate change.

The Big Light Project will be piloted across 1,000 primary and 800 secondary schools in London and the South East, with a view to roll-out nationally in future years.  It will cover a range of modules including history, technology, ICT and English in primary schools and science, design and technology and PSHE in secondary schools. 

The materials have been written by a team of industry experts and teachers and we hope to take children on an imaginative journey from past to present, through to the future, touching on a number of related life issues, such as active recycling, energy efficiency and climate change.  The project will also include a competition for primary and secondary schools.  

It is currently being marketed to teachers and we expect it to be available for use in the classroom in May.

Recolight has 1000 Commercial Collection Points across the nation. To find the nearest collection point to you click here  or call us on 0845 601 7749.

Do you want to feature your Collection Point in future e-newsletter issues?
In addition, we would like to feature members' Commercial Collection Points (CCPs) in this newsletter. If you have a CCP and would be happy for us to interview you and send a photographer to your site, please do let us know. newsletter@recolight.co.uk

Albion Electric was founded in 1912 and was originally based on Albion Street in the centre of Leeds. The warehouse is approximately 1,500sqm and stocks over 6,000 items with extensive ranges of lighting, power control, security products, cables and public address equipment. Albion has in excess of 700 customers ranging from large industrials, contracting electricians to retail shops.

Albion Electric recognises its corporate responsibilities towards both the environment and the community and as part of its responsibilities it offers a lamp recycling service.Craig Jefferies Director at Albion Electric says: “We believe in the importance of environmental protection and improvement and are committed to minimising our impact on the environment and helping our business partners to reduce theirs.

We think that it is important that everyone “does their bit” in reducing waste, so we chose to become an open RecoNet collection point, allowing anyone to bring waste lamps for recycling.

We chose Recolight because they were able to offer a flexible solution. When the Regulations came into effect we weren’t sure how many lamps would be coming back down the supply chain. Recolight provided a flexible collection service which fits with our own requirements. We now return up to 4 containers every week.”

This month we are answering questions raised in the RecoNet satisfaction survey about how Recolight can improve its services to you. If you have any questions for us please email them to newsletter@recolight.co.uk.

Will Recolight expand RecoNet to collect other materials?
A few respondents asked if we would expand the range of materials we collect to include plastic and batteries. This is something we have looked into and would consider if demand was high but at this stage interest is low and therefore we have no active plans but we keep it under review. Our aim is to make recycling as simple, efficient and cost effective as possible, and our lamp recycling couldn’t be more cost effective as it is free!

Will Recolight provide guidance on lamp recycling?
As well as running our regular ‘know your regulations’ column in this newsletter, we are in the process of printing a Lamp Recycling Guide which will be sent directly to you -  further copies will be available for your customers if required. In addition we are in the process of making improvements to our website so that any questions you might have about recycling lamps or complying with the relevant regulations can be more easily answered from that source. If you have any questions, a member of the Recolight team is always on hand to provide help, and can be contacted on 0845 601 7749.