In this issue:

A message from Eddie Taylor, Recolight CEO
Welcome to Recolight’s 2nd e-newsletter. In the months since our launch we have made encouraging progress. We have a unique UK-wide network of waste collection points. Set up with Industry service partners, the network is underpinned by a strong recycling infrastructure to support ongoing growth. We have an impressive list of producer members and we are now established as the leading gas discharge lamp WEEE compliance scheme..... [VIEW MORE]

The story so far
Since the start of its service eight months ago, Recolight has grown rapidly and has become the nation’s leading lamp compliance scheme, with a robust UK-wide recycling infrastructure. Momentum is building; here are some facts and figures that give the story.... [VIEW MORE]

The story behind recent headlines
Light bulbs hit the headlines early this year with a flurry of media stories about CFLs, and potential, alleged risks. The BBC and other media highlighted comments from the Environment Agency about the need for more consumer education about safe disposal of CFLs. A report from the Migraine Association claimed that the switch from incandescent lamps to CFLs could potentially cause health issues for migraine sufferers... [VIEW MORE]

Ask Recolight
In the UK, gas discharge lamps were designated as Hazardous Waste (HW) in July 2005 consequently the WEEE regulations require lamp producers to finance and ensure the safe and effective recycling of gas discharge lamps. Two enmeshed sets of... [VIEW MORE]

Recolight - the authority on disposal
Recolight is the UK’s only lamps compliance scheme that specializes in gas discharge lamps. Operated by an experienced management team, Recolight is an expert in all aspects of the compliance process... [VIEW MORE]

Feedback from the field
Our new Poster: We received feedback from one of the large electrical distributors that in our enthusiasm to promote... [VIEW MORE]

Welcome to Recolight’s 2nd e-newsletter.  In the months since our launch we have made encouraging progress.  We have a unique UK-wide network of waste collection points. Set up with industry service partners, the network is underpinned by a strong recycling infrastructure to support ongoing growth.  We have an impressive list of producer members and we are now established as the leading gas discharge lamp WEEE compliance scheme in the UK.

We will be publishing this newsletter regularly to keep you up-to-date and informed about the increasing range of support and services we provide.

But we are also very keen to learn about your experiences and to hear your views, so please do email us through our ‘Soapbox’ feedback function.

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.

Eddie Taylor, Chief Executive, Recolight

Since the start of its service eight months ago, Recolight has grown rapidly and has become the nation’s leading lamp compliance scheme, with a robust UK-wide recycling infrastructure.  Momentum is building; here are some facts and figures about the story so far:

• Recolight has 800 (and still growing) Commercial Collection Points (CCPs) across the UK, to aid the efficient recycling of end-of-life gas discharge lamps. Of these, 200 are open CCPs where business end users can dispose of their lamps in compliance with WEEE regulations. 

• Recolight made/financed approximately 4000 container collections in Q3, growing to approximately 4300 in Q4 2007.

• Around 60 of the UK’s largest lamp producers (companies who manufacture and sell, private brand marketers and importers) have signed up as members of Recolight. They benefit from a dedicated business to business collection system that enables their trade partners to dispose of WEEE lamps waste cost effectively and in accordance with WEEE regulations.

• Recolight receives between 100 and 150 phone calls for advice and information about the disposal of gas discharge lamps each week.  In addition, it presently receives 100 – 200 visits to its recently refurbished website each day.

• Last month each CCP received a toolkit comprising information leaflets in a dispenser, a poster, door sticker and wall planner to help inform their users/customers more about the service Recolight has to offer.

Recolight's Operations Manager Alex Hawkins answer your question:

If we are a collection point, do we need to be registered with the Environment Agency?

In the UK, gas discharge lamps were designated as Hazardous Waste (HW) in July 2005. The WEEE Regulations were subsequently introduced in July 2007, requiring producers to finance and ensure processes for the effective recycling of their products e.g. gas discharge lamps. These two enmeshed sets of regulations effect how WEEE lamps are handled and managed.

To achieve compliance with the HW Regulations, all Commercial Collection Points (CCPs) must register with the Environment Agency in respect of their premises and the waste activities they are undertaking. The Environment Agency will allocate a "premises code" to each CCP and provide a hazardous waste storage exemption or a licence, as required. Most business Users should also have registered their premises with the Environment Agency under the HW Regulations since July 2005.

Registration is a simple process and can be done on-line at the Environment Agency website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

The story behind recent headlines

Light bulbs hit the headlines early this year with a flurry of media stories about CFLs, and potential, alleged risks. The BBC and other media highlighted comments from the Environment Agency about the need for more consumer education about safe disposal of CFLs. A report from the Migraine Association claimed that the switch from incandescent lamps to CFLs could potentially cause health issues for migraine sufferers and others. 

The Recolight team received a number of enquiries on these topics from the media and other stakeholders.  “Recolight’s stance on these topics is quite clear”, commented Chief Executive Eddie Taylor. “We agree with the Environment Agency that there needs to be greater public awareness/consumer education regarding disposal of CFLs at end-of-life. However, consumers should also be reassured that CFLs are very safe to use. We have also issued guidelines that are featured on the Recolight website.”