£1m fund seeks ideas for waste lights and electrical kit

A fund of £1 million is on offer for ideas on how to minimise waste lighting and electrical equipment.

The cash – from compliance penalties paid by WEEE schemes that miss their annual collection targets – will help fund new initiatives and innovations.

Scott Butler, chief of Material Focus, administrator of the scheme, described electrical waste as the fastest-growing waste stream in the world.

In lighting, it’s estimated that over 100,000 luminaires are taken out of ceilings every week, with many ending up in the waste stream. Recolight estimates that just 10 per cent are recycled in official channels.
‘Material Focus is making it easier to fix, donate and recycle our electricals, so we can all do our bit to stop the valuable, critical and finite materials inside them from going to waste. 

‘But too many new products still aren’t designed to be easily reused and recycled – and we lack the systems to recover all the valuable materials inside them.

‘That’s why we’ve launched the £1 million Circular Electricals Fund to support new ideas aimed at keeping electricals and their materials in use for longer, and reducing e-waste. So we can enjoy the benefits of technology today without compromising future generations.’

‘We are looking for projects that combine innovation with impact – we welcome fresh ideas relating to the design, manufacture, use and longevity of electricals and their materials.

‘We offer funding for practical, scalable solutions that enhance resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and encourage collaboration across the industry.

‘We invite applications from UK organisations, including industry bodies, non-profits, private companies, compliance schemes, universities, and research institutions, for projects aimed at keeping electricals and their materials in use for longer.

Judges of the entries include Andy Gomarsall, Teresa Arbuckle, Asad Hamir, Peter Moody and Yewande Akinola.

• More details, including links to Applicant’s Guide and FAQs, are at: https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/partnerships-with-material-focus/circular-electricals-fund/

• Learn more about sustainable lighting at Circular Lighting Live 2025, Recolight’s flagship conference and exhibition, which takes place on Thursday 25 September 2025 at the Minster Building in the City of London. Free to specifiers, Circular Lighting Live 2025 will feature leading experts, specifiers and policy makers who will share their insights into forthcoming standards and legislation, emerging technologies and new business models. More info: www.circularlighting.live