evolution of LEDs in EEE & WEEE
2002
Introduction of EU WEEE Directive
2007
Directive transposed into UK WEEE Regulations – It was all about fluorescent lamps
2010
Integrated LED luminaires start to appear- retail sector and hospitality early adopters
2012
LEDs included in scope of recast WEEE directive
2014
LED is a huge lighting industry success story: Start of mass change over to LED street lighting, and LED in other sectors.
LEDs in waste stream estimated at 0.1%
Market widens with influx of new LED producers
2016
EucoLight began research into components of LEDs and how this could affect recycling targets
EucoLight members start working with recyclers to find better separation & treatment methods
Concerns over online LED producer freeriders EucoLight & members begin to take action
2017
More work needed to separate LEDs and GDLs – further Research initiated
EucoLight data shows that LED recycling has some challenges due to the diversity of materials used, and product designs
Co collection of LEDs with GDLs – EucoLight survey reveals that end users struggle to differentiate between GDL & LED.
EucoLight host online freeriding forum with WEEE Forum & Expra, focused on non-compliant LED sales
The EU Circular Economy Package recommends standards on recyclability of products
2018 & BEYOND
LEDs in waste stream estimated at 1-2% in 2018.
EucoLight research
to:
- identify efficient sorting and recycling technologies and any
- potential challenges in LED strategic material recovery
EucoLight are running several projects to look for solutions to the LED recycling challenge.
Bringing together Europe’s leading WEEE schemes specialised in the lighting sector, EucoLight is ideally placed to tackle this.
