According to Recolight, the not-for-profit organisation set up by the UK lamp industry, plans for recycling CFLs is going to rise up the corporate and household agenda as the bulbs run out of power.

As a result Recolight’s chief executive Nigel Harvey explained he needs to get the message out there now, and Recolight has been doing that with two trials of CFL collections for recycling in Peterborough and Cambridge.

The trials have been a community recycling centres and now Recolight, has revealed to edie.net, it’s in ‘advanced’ talks with several other local authorities to expand collections.

This says Mr Harvey has proved very successful and is now ready to be rolled out across the country to help increase the public’s awareness of the need to recycle CFLs.

Modern CFL bulbs, which are now standard after replacing the traditional incandescent bulb, are going to start needing recycling from 2014 as they reach the end of their natural lives.

But, according to Mr Harvey the public needs to have it explained to them that CFLs need to be recycled.

He said: “CFLs are hazardous waste as they contain mercury, but the average person doesn’t realise they need to be recycled.

“As a result they’re putting them in the bin and as a result sending hazardous waste to landfill, which is a potentially very serious issue.”

He added: “Business is aware of this much more as it’s more concerned with fines.”

Luke Walsh

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