The scheme makes Sainsbury's the first national retailer to offer co-collection for the two materials, at a time when the need to recycle them is set to increase with a combination of the Batteries Regulations being introduced and sales of low-energy bulbs increasing as old-style bulbs are phased out.
Low-energy lightbulbs – which are also known as compact fluorescent lightbulbs, or CFLs – collected under the partnership will be dealt with Recolight, which already collects them from civic amenity sites and businesses.
Meanwhile, with Sainsbury's set to be obligated as both a retailer and producer under the batteries regulations from the start of 2010, the waste batteries deposited in stores will be handled by its nominated batteries compliance scheme – Valpak.
Sainsbury's environmental affairs manager, Jack Cunningham, highlighted the importance of recycling the bulbs in light of them containing small amount of mercury.
And, he added: “Sainsbury's is therefore delighted to be the first national UK retailers to launch a co-collection scheme for both waste streams. The scheme will use the transport services of an existing supplier to Sainsbury's. That means that two additional waste streams can be collected with no increase in carbon footprint.”
Volumes
Speaking to letsrecycle.com about the initiative, Recolight's chief executive, Nigel Harvey, explained that, while the volumes of low-energy lightbulbs might initially be low, the scheme was focused on yielding more long-term benefits, as sales of the bulbs increased.
“For us it's important in that it's raising the profile of needing to recycle CFLs well before a significant volume needs to be recycled,” he said, adding that “there's a mechanism there for consumers which they can use when there are more in two or three years' time”.
With plans in place to phase out all traditional light-bulbs by the end of 2012, sales of low-energy bulbs look set to continue to increase, but, despite Health Protection Agency advice that they be dealt with as hazardous waste, councils last month acknowledged that some would end up in landfill (see letsrecycle.com story).
Recycling minister Dan Norris welcomed the launch of the Sainsbury's scheme, highlighting the importance of disposing of waste low-energy bulbs “properly”.
He said: “It's important that people can buy these bulbs and dispose of them properly, and so an energy-saving light bulb recycling service alongside battery collections will make it easier for people, which is great news.”
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