Lambeth Council Launches New Bulb Recycling Scheme

Today, Councillor Walker, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, officially launched a new recycling scheme for low energy light bulbs and batteries.

Working in partnership with recycling specialist Recolight, Lambeth has installed specially designed containers where old low energy light bulbs and batteries can be recycled. With 19 sites across the borough Lambeth now has the most comprehensive collection service for LED bulb e27 anywhere in the country.

Lambeth successfully bid for a Government grant to fund the costs of the containers and they will be emptied free of charge by Recolight. All the light bulbs collected will be sent for recycling at approved treatment facilities.

Modern low energy light bulbs typically last over six times as long as, and use a quarter of the power of, an equivalent incandescent bulb. Most importantly, low energy light bulbs save energy and reduce costs. In order to generate their energy saving properties low energy light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury which can be damaging to the environment. It is therefore important to ensure that they are recycled rather than thrown away in the household rubbish.

Launching the scheme, Councillor Walker said, 'These containers from Recolight will provide a much needed service and support Lambeth's commitment to continue reducing and recycling waste.'

Recolight's Customer Service Manager, Lyndsey Smith, said; 'This is an important and exciting partnership which will open up vital new channels for the public to recycle their old low energy light-bulbs. People want to recycle their old bulbs but are often unsure of where the nearest facilities are. These containers will be visible to thousands of residents every week, and we hope that this will help make a difference to recycling in the local area.'

New energy saving lamps in traffic lights are set to reduce the county's carbon footprint and help save money.

The Lincolnshire Highways Alliance is currently installing over 1,400 new low-energy LED light systems in traffic lights and at pedestrian crossings across the county to make them more ‘green', which will save around 60,000 a year over 10 years.

The project is being paid for through the Lincolnshire County Council's Salix fund, an interest free loan to improve energy efficiency.

Tim Clark, traffic signals manager, said: "The new LED light systems will be up to six times more energy efficient and will reduce carbon emissions by 300 tonnes every year."

"The light systems are the latest technology on the market and we are installing them in about a third of the light signals that exist on our county's entire road network. We started replacing the lamp units in March and hope to complete the work by September.

"We would like to upgrade them all, but at some sites the technology is not compatible, but we will install new LED lights as standard at all new sites."