Free recycling still ignored

02 August 2012

Research shows that when it comes to recycling waste lamps, Facilities Managers and FM companies are making progress, but still missing out on cost effective options available to them.

A recent Recolight survey found wide differences in attitudes to and awareness of lamp recycling in the FM sector. Whilst 65% of Facilities Managers and companies surveyed recycle all of the waste lamps that they collect, 18% recycle half or less. Most surprising was that 42% of FM companies continue to pay for lamp recycling, unaware that free recycling may be available to them.

The research highlighted that there is still work to be done. 14% of respondents were unaware of the WEEE regulations and 50% were unaware that LEDs were in scope of the WEEE regulations. With new recycling targets set to come into force over the next two years, FMs are integral to helping the UK meet its obligations, and Recolight is committed to raising awareness and partnering with organisations to increase recycling rates.

Recolight can help FMs access free of charge recycling services. The threshold companies need to meet to qualify was recently lowered to 1000 lamps every six months, giving Facilities Managers with smaller quantities of waste lamps access to Recolight’s free collection services.

Facilities Managers who do not meet the threshold can lease a container. When the container is full, Recolight will collect it, recycle the contents free of charge and return the deposit paid. Alternatively, they can make use of one of 300 business collection points across the country.