The research found that only 9% of Recolight’s network of over 1,300 collection points is made up of public sector organisations. Although some smaller organisations do set up ad hoc collections with Recolight for their waste lamps, a large number of organisations which would generate enough lamps for regular collection are missing out of the costs savings available.

Of the public sector, Local Authorities are ahead in taking up the free lamp recycling service, with 11% opting to join the network. Major MOD sites are next with 10% using the service. The NHS and the education system are lagging behind in uptake, with only 0.2% of NHS hospitals and GP practices, and only 0.1% of schools, colleges and universities part of the network.

A certain number of public sector organisations outsource services to Facilities Management companies, which, if part of Recolight’s collection point network, should pass on the costs savings to the organisation.

If an organisation collects more than 1,000 lamps in six months, Recolight can provide a container, free of charge, and collect the lamps once the container is full. Collection and recycling of all waste lamps is completely free of charge including the full provision of consignment notes for duty of care purposes and access to fully accredited suppliers.

Recolight has a range of other free and convenient WEEE recycling options, depending on the amount of lamps collected each month. These options will be showcased at the upcoming Facilities Show at Stand 2B2.

Recolight’s Customer Service Manager, Lyndsey Smith, commented:

“Although it is encouraging to see that Local Authorities are realizing the benefits of free lamp recycling, there are clearly many public sector organisations across the UK that are unnecessarily paying for their waste lamps to be recycled. We’re working hard to raise awareness of the options available and will be at the Facilities Show, taking place from 14th-16th May, to answer any questions.”

For more information about how you could recycle your lamps for free, call 0870 601 7749 or email info@recolight.co.uk

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About Recolight

Recolight is a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme specialising in the recycling of Gas Discharge Lamps (GDLs), in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. Recolight was established by the UK lamp producers who account for a significant share of the UK market. Its members are producers and importers of WEEE who put new lamps on the market for the first time in the UK, and are therefore obliged to comply with the WEEE Regulations. Recolight offers specialist lamp recycling services, advice and support to help all parties in the supply chain recycle their lamps as simply and efficiently as possible.

For more information visit the Recolight website www.recolight.co.uk or follow Recolight on Twitter @Recolight

For further information contact Anjali Jingree or Magdalen Bush

Telephone: 020 7526 3600

Email: ajingree@apcoworldwide.com / mbush@apcoworldwide.com 

Suzanne Castine, Marketing Manager at Recolight said: “The exhibition is a great opportunity for Recolight to network and encourage businesses to take advantage of free lamp recycling by joining our unique collection point network. As well as promoting the various free and convenient WEEE recycling options that we offer to businesses, we will be there to raise awareness amongst Facilities Managers of the importance of recycling waste lamps. Now in our third year of attending, we have always found the event useful and informative, and are looking forward to another very successful event.” 

Recolight staff will be available at stand 2B2 to answer any questions about lamp recycling, such as new lamp technologies including LEDs, recycling during a relamping or renovation project, and how the forthcoming changes to the WEEE Regulations might affect you and your business. 

The Facilities Show is dedicated to providing facilities managers from all sectors with a comprehensive package of need-to-know information, bringing together suppliers and specialists to share knowledge, debate current issues and find best-fit solutions and products. More information on the Show can be found at www.facilitiesshow.com. 

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About Recolight

Recolight is a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme specialising in the recycling of Gas Discharge Lamps (GDLs), in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.  Recolight was established by the UK lamp producers who account for a significant share of the UK market. Its members are producers and importers of WEEE who put new lamps on the market for the first time in the UK, and are therefore obliged to comply with the WEEE Regulations.  Recolight offers specialist lamp recycling services, advice and support to help all parties in the supply chain recycle their lamps as simply and efficiently as possible. For more information visit the Recolight website www.recolight.co.uk. You can follow Recolight on Twitter or search for @Recolight. 

For further information contact Anjali Jingree or Magdalen Bush 

Telephone: 020 7526 3600 

Email: mailto:ajingree@apcoworldwide.com/ mbush@apcoworldwide.com  

Government’s WEEE Regulations Red Tape Challenge

Last year, the Government’s Red Tape Challenge concluded that Producers were financing costs far higher than the true cost of compliance under the current WEEE Regulations. The UK’s existing WEEE regulations allow companies that control access to WEEE to sell evidence that WEEE has been recycled at a significant profit. The result is that in the UK, producers of applicable electrical equipment pay much more than is justified.

BIS consultation on WEEE Regulations

The JTA is pleased that the department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has committed to addressing the key issues that are causing this through new WEEE Regulations. The consultation includes four alternative WEEE systems.

The JTA is supportive of two of these options – the Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS)/Designated Collection Facilities (DCF) Matching Process and the Collection Target and Compliance Fee. However, it also expressed a clear preference for the PCS/DCF Matching Process.

A fairer WEEE system

The two alternative proposals supported by the JTA have the potential to eliminate many of the issues which blight the current system. Both would be significantly better than the status quo. Both will provide Local Authorities and other WEEE collectors with certainty that all WEEE will be cleared free of charge on request. Both will also allow Local Authorities and other WEEE collectors to treat and report WEEE themselves if they wish, for example to retain the income.

Of the two preferred options, the JTA favour the PCS/DCF Matching Process. It is tried and tested, and already operates in a number of other European countries. We are convinced that it will result in the fairest cost for all WEEE stakeholders. We are also confident that this option can be implemented within the UK in an effective and timely manner.

JTA members are fully committed to increasing WEEE recycling rates in the UK. We are convinced that the changes proposed by the Government will make this more achievable.

Calling on producers

The JTA is calling on all producers of electrical equipment to respond to the Government’s consultation document, and suggests that companies contact their trade associations for further guidance. All responses to the consultation need to be submitted by 21^st June 2013.

About the Joint Trade Associations

The JTA is a grouping of eight leading Trade Associations in the electrotechnical sector, and four Producer owned and led WEEE Producer Compliance Schemes brought together to achieve the common goal of introducing a fairer WEEE system for all stakeholders in the UK.  

The Trade Association members of the JTA are AMDEA, BEAMA, EEF, GAMBICA, Intellect, LIA, PETMA and SEAMA.  The WEEE PCS members of the JTA are B2B Compliance, ERP UK, Recolight, and REPIC.  The JTA estimates that its combined membership represents in excess of 90% of all WEEE producer obligation in the UK.

Recolight, the UK’s leading specialist WEEE compliance scheme for the lighting industry has announced a significant increase in waste lamp recycling rates for 2012.

New figures released by the Environment Agency this month demonstrate a year on year increase in lamp recycling rates since the first full year of recorded data in 2008. In 2012 the tonnage of waste lamps recycled by all Producer Compliance Schemes in the UK was 39.5% of the tonnage of all lamps put on market.  The figure in 2008 was 23.2%.   

The lighting industry performance in business recycling rates is particularly strong – the 2012 data shows that the recorded UK business recycling rate for all WEEE sectors is just 5%, compared to the lamp industry result of 39.5%.

Nigel Harvey, Recolight CEO said “Recolight was established in 2005 by the UK’s leading lamp producers, GE, Osram, Havells Sylvania and Phillips, and now has 120 lamp producer members. The excellent recycling rates the UK has achieved have only been possible with the commitment of all Recolight members”. 

He added: “The lighting industry has set the benchmark for business WEEE recycling. We already know that our sector accounts for a higher proportion of business WEEE recycled over put-on-market EEE than any other industry.  Now the 2012 figures demonstrate that we are well on the way to meeting the first set of higher targets outlined within the recast WEEE Directive.

This success is testament to the commitment of all our lamp producer and importer members, and also to the foresight of our founding members who created Recolight’s unique model. The continued commitment of our members ensures that the lighting industry maintains the highest levels of compliance with the WEEE Regulations now and in the future.”

The increase in recycling rates has been caused in part by a reduction in the tonnage of new lamps put on the market, but without a corresponding reduction in tonnages of lamps recycled, resulting in a higher capture rate.

-Ends-

About Recolight

Recolight is a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme specialising in the recycling of Gas Discharge Lamps (GDLs), in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.  Recolight was established by the UK lamp producers who account for a significant share of the UK market. Its members are producers and importers of WEEE who put new lamps on the market for the first time in the UK, and are therefore obliged to comply with the WEEE Regulations.  Recolight offers specialist lamp recycling services, advice and support to help all parties in the supply chain recycle their lamps as simply and efficiently as possible. For more information visit the Recolight website www.recolight.co.uk.  

For further information contact John Roberts or Magdalen Bush 

Telephone: 020 7526 3600 

Email: jroberts@apcoworldwide.com / mbush@apcoworldwide.com  

The phosphor powders include the rare earths used in the manufacture of lamps. The market for the supply of rare earths has been challenging in recent years.  It is therefore hoped that this move by Recolight will help lamp producers to reduce the risks associated with access to rare earths.

Recolight took action to prevent phosphor powders from being landfilled whilst options for recovery and distribution were investigated.  Recolight will now make the powders recovered during recycling available to producer members, if they want them.

Alex Hawkins, Operations Manager of Recolight, said: “This is a real step forward for Recolight and its members.  The scarcity of rare earths has been a real concern to the lighting industry.  Implementing this new system will benefit our members and help to ensure a sustainable future for the industry.  We are proud that our industry is at the vanguard of the circular economy.” 

Now in its fourth year, the Rushlight show incorporates an exhibition of innovative clean technology solutions, a Cleantech Entrepreneurs Conference, a Sustainability Conference, and a Cleantech Industry Conference. In addition, Rushlight will be hosting pre-arranged one-to-one meetings of cleantech companies with investors, customers and specific service providers, as well as an Isle of Man Offshore Renewables Breakfast event.

Nigel will be speaking during the Cleantech Industry Conference, which covers the latest technological and market positions of the energy, transport and resources sectors. His presentation will focus on the expected changes to the WEEE Regulations, including the higher targets and how they will affect the industry as a whole.

The event is designed to be of value to organisations that are developing and deploying clean technologies, and sustainability practitioners and others looking to adopt clean technologies and manage their organisation’s environmental footprint proactively. Investors and financiers in clean technologies, local authorities and government departments, analysts, media and other participants of the sector are also expected to attend. Attendees will include representatives from a range of companies including Coca-Cola, Marriott Hotels, University College London, Eurostar, Royal Mail, Addison Lee, BT, Nestle, Innocent Drinks, Shell, and IBM. The event will be followed by a Gala Awards Dinner at the same venue.

Commenting on his appearance at the Show, Nigel said, ‘I’m very much looking forward to speaking about the changes to the WEEE Regulations at the Show. Given that a wide range of industries will be affected by the changes, it is encouraging to see that the Regulations have been given such a prominent position within this forum’. 

The glittering award ceremony took place at the Natural History Museum with 16 awards up for grabs. The Lux Person of the Year award was a special award decided by a panel of lighting industry experts, and the judges nominated Nigel Harvey in recognition of his role in the “enormous success of Recolight”.

Since its inception in 2007, the not-for-profit organisation has funded the recycling of over 125 million lamps, which has prevented a third of a tonne of mercury from entering landfill.

In 2011, lamps accounted for just two per cent of the tonnage of business electrical equipment placed on the market in the UK, but accounted for over 22 per cent of the business WEEE collected, according to Environment Agency figures. Much of the success is attributable to Recolight’s commitment to both the spirit and letter of the WEEE legislation.

Lux Awards is the highlight of the annual Lux Live exhibition currently taking place at Earls Court. Organised by the Lighting Industry Association and Lux magazine, Lux Live brings together major lighting users including retailers, developers, manufacturers, transport and infrastructure providers and public sector with lighting professionals including designers, architects, consulting engineers, contractors and distributors.

Nigel Harvey said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been given this award which I dedicate to the team at Recolight, our members, collection points and partners, all of whom work tirelessly to keep this hazardous waste stream out of landfill. It is a great accolade for the lighting industry as a whole that we are leading the way when it comes to the management of business waste electrical and electronic equipment. We are completely committed to building on this success for the future.”

-Ends-

About Recolight

Recolight is a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme specialising in the recycling of Gas Discharge Lamps (GDLs), in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.  Recolight was established by the UK lamp producers who account for a significant share of the UK market. Its members are producers and importers of WEEE who put new lamps on the market for the first time in the UK, and are therefore obliged to comply with the WEEE Regulations.  Recolight offers specialist lamp recycling services, advice and support to help all parties in the supply chain recycle their lamps as simply and efficiently as possible. For more information visit the Recolight website www.recolight.co.uk

For further information contact Anjali Jingree or Magdalen Bush

Telephone: 020 7526 3600

Email: ajingree@apcoworldwide.com / mbush@apcoworldwide.com

Recolight is unique amongst WEEE compliance schemes in the UK for having the only dedicated open collection point network for consumer and business waste lamps.

Recolight’s lamp collection network consists of 1,200 business collection points, of which over 300 are open for any business to use. In addition, Recolight has now established a network of over 800 consumer collection points, through partnerships with several local authorities and retailers, including Homebase, Sainsbury’s and Robert Dyas.

Suzanne Castine, marketing manager at Recolight said: “We are really pleased to have reached this significant milestone having worked very hard to expand our network over the last twelve months. We are committed to making it as simple as possible for both businesses and consumers to recycle their waste lamps and keep this hazardous waste stream out of landfill.”

-Ends-

About Recolight

Recolight is a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme specialising in the recycling of gas discharge lamps (GDLs) in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. This includes compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) such as energy-saving light bulbs.  Recolight was established by the UK lamp producers who account for a significant share of the UK market. Its members are producers and importers of WEEE who put new lamps on the market for the first time in the UK, and are therefore obliged to comply with the WEEE Regulations.  Recolight offers specialist lamp recycling services, advice and support to help all parties in the supply chain recycle their lamps as simply and efficiently as possible. For more information visit the Recolight website www.recolight.co.uk

In July, Recolight was named “Recycling and Waste Management Business of the Year” at the National Recycling Awards

Cambridge City Council has expanded the number of low-energy light bulb recycling points it provides to residents, through its partnership with Recolight.  As one of the first local authorities to trial Recolight’s recycling scheme, Cambridge has now expanded it, providing 8 recycling locations for the city’s 120,000 inhabitants to conveniently recycle their old low-energy light bulbs.

The Council has added two new collection points; one in Waitrose on Hauxton Road and another in the Coville Road car park in Cherry Hinton. They join Recolight’s network of 800 collection points which are open for consumers to use for free. These complement the existing 1,100 Household Waste Recycling Centres operating in local authorities across the UK.

Cambridge City Council was the first local authority to sign up to Recolight’s collection point network. In April 2010, its initial collection points were opened at convenient locations across the city including the local Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores. By June the following year, almost 2,000 low-energy light bulbs had been collected.

Rebecca Weymouth-Wood, recycling officer for Cambridge City Council, said of the seven containers already in operation: “The containers have helped to raise the profile of our local recycling points as these points now offer facilities for more than just the usual glass, paper and cans. We are keen to ensure our public recycling points complement our kerbside collection by allowing residents to recycle items that we cannot collect at the kerbside.”

Cambridge differs from most cities as many residents do not own cars, making a strong case for collection points to be located at convenient locations on the high street.

Suzanne Castine, head of marketing at Recolight, said: “Recolight is delighted that Cambridge City Council is expanding its number of collection points. As the first local authority to sign up to our network, it is important that we continue to raise consumer awareness, even in areas already working hard to promote the recycling of low-energy light bulbs”

Residents in Cambridge and across the UK can search for their nearest Recolight collection point or civil amenity centre at www.recolight.co.uk. 

-Ends-

About Recolight

Recolight is a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme specialising in the recycling of gas discharge lamps (GDLs) in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. This includes compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) such as energy-saving light bulbs.  Recolight was established by the UK lamp producers who account for a significant share of the UK market. Its members are producers and importers of WEEE who put new lamps on the market for the first time in the UK, and are therefore obliged to comply with the WEEE Regulations.  Recolight offers specialist lamp recycling services, advice and support to help all parties in the supply chain recycle their lamps as simply and efficiently as possible. For more information visit the Recolight website www.recolight.co.uk

In July, Recolight was named “Recycling and Waste Management Business of the Year” at the National Recycling Awards

The LIT Lighting Expo is the UK’s first online lighting exhibition and will be running from September to December 2012. Mr Harvey will be joined by other experts in the field of lighting, including Philips Lighting and MHA Lighting, whose seminars will run for the first half of the exhibition, which runs from 28^th September to the end of October. Mr Harvey’s seminar first broadcasts at 2:00pm 3^rd October and will be available on demand thereafter. Mr Harvey will then take part in a Q&A session based on the seminar.

Mr Harvey said: “Recolight is proud to be taking part in an innovative exhibition that will be accessible to both consumers and businesses free of charge. In response to, and preparation for, changes to the WEEE Regulations, Recolight is doing all it can to ensure that lamp recycling is made as easy as and as convenient as possible. Achieving the higher targets will require a joint effort, and Recolight is keen to help any organisation interested in contributing to this.”

The LIT Expo is focused on increasing flexibility, reducing costs and neutralising the carbon footprint associated with the traditional exhibitions, while saving visitors time and money and increasing their productivity as they stay abreast of developments in the industry. As well as the seminars, the LIT Lighting Expo will offer online exhibition stands for products and services from a range of companies.

For more information on the event and to attend the LIT Lighting Expo visit http://www.lightingandinteriorstoday.com/

-Ends-

About Recolight

Recolight is a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme specialising in the recycling of gas discharge lamps (GDLs) in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. This includes compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) such as energy-saving light bulbs.  Recolight was established by the UK lamp producers who account for a significant share of the UK market. Its members are producers and importers of WEEE who put new lamps on the market for the first time in the UK, and are therefore obliged to comply with the WEEE Regulations.  Recolight offers specialist lamp recycling services, advice and support to help all parties in the supply chain recycle their lamps as simply and efficiently as possible. For more information visit the Recolight website www.recolight.co.uk

In July, Recolight was named “Recycling and Waste Management Business of the Year” at the National Recycling Awards

For further information contact Magdalen Bush/Anjali Jingree

Telephone: 020 7526 3600

Email:  mbush@apcoworldwide.com / ajingree@apcoworldwide.com  

Under the WEEE Regulations low-energy light bulbs need to be recycled when they reach end of life, and local authorities provide vital collection facilities at 1,100 household waste recycling centres across the country. However, an audit of local authority websites shows that 15% do not provide any information to their communities about these facilities or the importance of recycling this hazardous waste stream.

Only 10% of local authorities mention Recolight's 800 additional collection facilities available at Sainsbury's, Robert Dyas and Homebase, as well as at a number of other convenient high street recycling points.

Recolight's Marketing and Communications Manager Suzanne Castine said: "It's essential that low-energy light bulbs are recycled when they reach end-of-life as they contain a small amount of mercury which could be harmful to the environment if allowed to go to landfill. We're working with a number of local authorities to increase access to collection facilities including Lambeth, Stroud, Stockton-on-Tees and Hackney councils, amongst others.

In a bid to help raise awareness amongst consumers, Recolight recently launched a youtube video starring its lightbulb mascot Bertie Bulb - the low-energy light bulb on a high-energy mission to recycle. The video can be viewed here. Bertie has also been on a tour of the country, visiting collection points and generating local media coverage to help increase awareness rates up and down the country.

- Ends -

About Recolight

Recolight is a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme specialising in the recycling of Gas Discharge Lamps, in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.  Recolight was established by the UK lamp producers who account for a significant share of the UK market. Its members are producers and importers who put new lamps on the market for the first time in the UK, and are therefore required to comply with the WEEE Regulations.  Recolight offers specialist lamp recycling services, advice and support to help all parties in the supply chain recycle their lamps as simply and efficiently as possible. For more information visit the Recolight website www.recolight.co.uk

For further information contact Anjali Jingree or Magdalen Bush

Telephone: 020 7526 3600

Email: ajingree@apcoworldwide.com / mbush@apcoworldwide.com  

RS Components (RS), the leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, is blazing a trail for lamp recycling in East London. By partnering with specialist recycling scheme Recolight, RS in Bow is able to provide free of charge recycling for its customers in Central and East London.

Customers are able to take their waste lighting to the containers at the store at Old Ford Trading Centre, on Maverton Road, or if they collect large quantities of lamps, RS can organise collections through Recolight.

Customers at the Bow branch have found the service so useful that a number of other branches in the RS Components network have now also joined Recolight's collection service. This has meant that over the last 12 months, approximately 4.9 tonnes of waste lamps have been collected and recycled by Recolight from RS branches around the country.

Ken Simpson, Environment and Sustainability manager at RS commented, said "Supporting the Recolight scheme makes sense to us as we are committed to recycling and driving sustainability. Recolight provides a comprehensive recycling service which has been well received by our customers in Bow leading us to increase the availability of the service across our UK branch network."

Nigel Harvey, Recolight Chief Executive, said: "We are very pleased with the uptake of our collection service at RS. Providing free lamp recycling for the customers of the Bow branch has enabled us to reach a large number of central London businesses and encourage them to recycle. The fact that other branches have also signed up to provide collection facilities is very encouraging and demonstrates RS Components' commitment to recycling."

If you require any further information regarding the disposal of your old lamps or to discuss new or alternative lighting solutions, contact RS Components on 020 8983 3233 or call into Old Ford Trading Centre, Maverton Road, London, E3 2JE

- ENDS -

About Recolight
Recolight is a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme specialising in the recycling of gas discharge lamps (GDLs) in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. This includes compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) such as energy-saving light bulbs. Recolight was established by the UK lamp producers who account for a significant share of the UK market. Its members are producers and importers of WEEE who put new lamps on the market for the first time in the UK, and are therefore obliged to comply with the WEEE Regulations. Recolight offers specialist lamp recycling services, advice and support to help all parties in the supply chain recycle their lamps as simply and efficiently as possible. For more information visit the Recolight website www.recolight.co.uk

About RS Components
RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc, the world's leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products. With operations in 32 countries, we offer more than 550,000 products through the internet, catalogues and at trade counters to over one million customers, shipping more than 46,000 parcels on the same day the orders are received. Our products, sourced from 2,500 leading suppliers, include electronics, automation and control, test and measurement, electrical and mechanical components.

Electrocomponents is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year ended 31 March 2012 had revenues of £1.27bn.

For more information, please visit the website at http://uk.rs-online.com/web

For further information contact Anjali Jingree / Magdalen Bush
Telephone: 020 7526 3600
Email: ajingree@apcoworldwide.com / mbush@apcoworldwide.com

Working in partnership with recycling specialist Recolight, Stroud District Council has installed specially designed containers where old low energy light bulbs can be recycled. These have been placed in 9 locations across the across the District - Old Market, Nailsworth; Cainscross recycling site; Stamages Lane car park, Painswick; Thomas Keeble school, Eastcombe; Cheapside car park, Stroud; High Street car park, Stonehouse; Council car park beside Tesco, Cam; Kingshill Parade, Dursley; and Marybrook car park, Berkeley - with a further site to be added soon.

Launching the scheme, Councillor Simon Pickering said: "These containers from Recolight will provide a much needed service and supports the council's commitment to continue reducing and recycling waste in the district."

Recolight CEO Nigel Harvey said; "This is an important and exciting partnership which will open up vital new channels for the public to recycle their old low energy light-bulbs. People want to recycle their old bulbs but are often unsure of where the nearest facilities are. These containers will be visible to thousands of consumers every week, and we hope that this will help make a difference to recycling in the local area."

Research has shown that recycling rates for low-energy light bulbs would be higher if it was easier for consumers to do so. Recolight is committed to increasing recycling rates by providing easy and convenient recycling facilities for all. In the last two years, Recolight has worked in partnership with Homebase, Robert Dyas, Sainsbury's and several local authorities to provide 800 more locations where householders can take their low-energy light bulbs for recycling. Previously the only option for consumers was to travel to a Local Council Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), of which there are 1,100 across the UK.

Last August, Bertie Bulb toured the UK, visiting new consumer collection points from Southampton to Dundee. The tour was a success, receiving coverage in local newspapers along the route, and helping to promote low-energy light bulb recycling to consumers. Bertie Bulb is now fast becoming the face of consumer recycling along with the strap line "be bright recycle your light".

Suzanne Castine, Marketing Manager at Recolight, said, ‘We are proud of the work we've done to make it easier for householders to recycle. We are working closely with retailers and local authorities to provide more places to recycle, but we still need to do more to raise awareness and increase recycling rates. We are hoping that Bertie Bulb's video will go viral so we can spread the message further.'

In accordance with the WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) Regulations, all low-energy light bulbs need to be recycled when they reach end- of-life. As traditional light bulbs are gradually phased out, low-energy versions will become more common in homes, and as they contain a small amount of mercury to produce light efficiently, they can be harmful to the environment if sent to landfill.

For more information, or to find your nearest collection point visit www.recolight.co.uk
Or follow Bertie's tour of the UK on twitter @bertiebulb
To view the video click here or go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm3_eaDODxA&feature=youtu.be
The video was produced and edited by g-graphic, a Graphic Design and Advertising agency located in Bournemouth and London.

The recycling and waste management industry has made significant progress over the years, moving recycling from a marginal issue right into the mainstream. The National Recycling Awards recognise excellence in all parts of the waste hierarchy and in all sections of the industry. Successful entrants have to demonstrate effective strategy, tangible improvement, innovative and creative solutions, and a strong business case.

The Recycling and Waste Management Business of the Year (SME) is a new category that the National Recycling Awards have introduced this year to recognise the vital role that small businesses have to play in recycling and waste management. The Award celebrates exceptional customer service, market innovation, growth and high performance in the UK, and Recolight was recognised for its education and communication programmes for this 'difficult' waste stream. 

Nigel Harvey, Recolight Chief Executive said; "The whole team at Recolight are very proud and pleased to have won this award. It is recognition of our achievements since the WEEE Regulations were introduced five years ago and of our commitment to expanding lamp recycling facilities for all."

Recolight goes above and beyond its obligations as a compliance scheme, actively encouraging awareness of the need to recycle and maximise recycling rates amongst both businesses and consumers.

Business waste collections are at the heart of what Recolight does. Harvey continues, "There are now 1,140 B2B collection points in the Recolight network, of which more than 340 are open and available for any business to use on a free of charge basis. We also provide approximately 100 ad hoc collections from re-lamp projects each month."

"Recolight is committed to extending recycling services to all. Given the ubiquitous nature of lamps, we now work with a broad range of organisations, including hospitals, universities, local government and even police forces dismantling cannabis farms."

"Our consumer collection point network has grown to over 800 locations. We have been working on raising consumer awareness of the need to recycle their low-energy light bulbs through radio interviews, which reached over 2 million listeners. Bertie Bulb's tour of consumer collection points across the UK last August raised the profile of the need to recycle consumer lamps."

Looking to the future, Harvey notes that there are major changes in store for business and consumer lamp recycling. "The recast of the WEEE Directive will lead to big changes. The extent of the changes won't be clear until the WEEE Regulations are finalized in 2013. What we know for certain is that there will be higher targets, and these will have a large impact on everyone involved in the supply chain."

Harvey also commented on other processes underway that will affect the lamp recycling industry. "The Government is also considering other changes following the outcome of the Red Tape Challenge, which seeks to reduce the burden of regulation that businesses face. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has launched a call for evidence, to which all producers are invited to give evidence. Again, although it is unclear what the changes may take place, what is clear is that the Government is undertaking a full review of the WEEE system. "

While there is still much to be done to raise awareness among consumers and businesses, Harvey is confident that the UK will be able to rise to the challenge of increased targets. "In preparation for the revised WEEE Regulations, Recolight is doing all it can to ensure that lamp recycling is made as easy as and as accessible as possible. Achieving the higher targets will require a joint effort, and Recolight is keen to help any organisation interested in contributing to this."

The lower threshold allows more electrical contractors, facilities managers, and other electrical businesses that collect smaller quantities less regularly, to arrange for their waste lamps to be recycled easily and cost-effectively.

The move is another step towards achieving Recolight's aim of ensuring access to lamp recycling facilities for all. Last June, Recolight extended the range of collection options for businesses that did not meet the threshold of collecting over 1,000 lamps every three months, by offering a Recolight container to be leased for a nominal charge. Now these businesses have the additional option of becoming a collection point and joining Recolight's network of over 1,100 collection points across the UK.

Nigel Harvey, Recolight's Chief Executive, said; "Expanding access to waste lamp recycling is very important to us. By lowering the threshold and allowing more businesses to become collection points, we hope that as many lamps as possible will be recycled."

Wholesale businesses becoming collection points can benefit from Recolight's industry expertise, and from being an open collection point listed on the Recolight online collection point map, which enables their customers to also access free of charge lamp recycling.

They can now also benefit from a new and improved online booking system, providing a more efficient and user-friendly way of requesting free of charge collections.

Collection and recycling of all waste lamps is completely free of charge including the full provision of consignment notes for duty of care purposes and access to fully accredited suppliers. For more information on becoming a Recolight collection point, please visit the website www.recolight.co.uk or call 0845 601 7749.

Organised by Lux magazine and the Lighting Industry Association, the Lux Awards aim to recognise and celebrate creativity and sustainability. Lux magazine is also keen for those in the lighting industry - manufacturers, designers, consultants, specifiers and distributors - to nominate clients and end-users that have used lighting in exceptional ways to improve their lit environment - and reduce energy.

The Recycling Award is designed to recognise commitment to recycling of lamps, luminaires and equipment from relamp projects. Winners will receive an impressive trophy made from recycled lamp glass.

Suzanne Castine, Marketing Manager at Recolight, said: "Recolight is proud to be a supporter of the Lux Awards. We believe that it is important to recognise the efforts of businesses to be sustainable, and would encourage any business that makes a difference through recycling, has recycled large quantities of lamps or luminaires, or who offers a recycling service to its customers, to apply."

This year's event will be held at the Natural History Museum, on Tuesday 6th November 2012. The closing date for entries is 16th July. Visit www.luxawards.co.uk for more information and to apply.