Sainsbury’s announced this morning (October 19) it will run a scheme to collect end-of-life energy-saving bulbs and batteries from stores across the UK.

The supermarket giant claims the scheme makes them the first retailer offering the joint collection of light bulbs and batteries

No start date has been given for the scheme but the chain has said it start ‘before the end of 2009’ and will be rolled out to around 200 of Sainsbury’s larger stores by the end of January 2010.

Sainsbury’s environmental affairs manager, Jack Cunningham said “Energy-saving light bulbs contain a minute amount of mercury, and it is therefore important to recycle them.

“Battery collections also become a requirement in the UK from early in 2010, Sainsbury’s is therefore delighted to be the first National UK retailer to launch a co-collection scheme for both waste streams.”

The scheme is a partnership with Recolight, a not-for-profit producer-led compliance scheme, who focus on recycling of gas discharge lamps (GDLs) in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.

Luke Walsh

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe