Homebase launches low energy light bulb recycling scheme

Homebase has rolled out collection facilities for low-energy light bulb recycling across its 320 stores.

In accordance with the WEEE regulations, all low-energy light bulbs need to be recycled when they reach end-of-life as they contain a small amount of mercury, which can be harmful to the environment if sent to landfill.

Homebase has teamed up with compliance scheme Recolight to send the collected light bulbs to approved treatment facilities where the individual components of glass, plastic and metal are separated and recycled to make new items.

The mercury from each bulb is safely removed and recycled too.

Recolight chief executive Nigel Harvey said: "Homebase has over 70m customers through its stores each year and we believe this partnership will enable us to spread the recycling message more widely and provide convenient collection locations for customers to take their old light-bulbs. We are delighted by the commitment made by Homebase. This is a really exciting development which will be integral to helping us to raise recycling rates as more low-energy light bulbs start to reach end-of-life in the coming years.

Source : DIY Week.net