The need to recycle all waste lamps when the WEEE Regulations are implemented in August 2004

When these regulations come into force in August, Industry will have exactly one year in which to comply with them. Whilst many companies already send their lamps for recycling it is expected many more will soon do so because the number of landfill sites licensed to accept this waste will reduce in July from 250 to between 10 & 15 and the cost of using these will increase considerably.

In fact both th WEEE Regulations and the Sustainalite interpretation of them do not make the specification for recycling at all onerous. All that is required is for 80% of a lamp to be recycled in some way and the main materials comprising glass metal and phosphor/glass powder should be adequately seperated for this purpose.

In 1980 Balcan Engineering of Woodall Spa in Lincolnshire proved to be the first company to become aware of the haphazard way in which waste lamps were disposed of and, as a result, developed their well known range of crushers specifically designed to handle all types of lamps. They also mounted a publicity campaign about the damage that could be done to both the environment and anyone handling lamps. As a result they have supplied lampcrushers to a wide variety of industries and locations ranging from the roof of Harrods to oil companies in Algeria, Azerbaijan and other countries worldwide!

Nowadays with the increasing concern by the EU about inappropriate waste disposal and the need to recycle as much as possible, Balcan is well placed to meet companies needs for correct waste lamp disposal. It has gained UKAS accreditation ISO 9001-2000 for lamp disposal and recycling which confirms its' paper trail is in perfect order.

Eighteen months ago Balcan brought on stream its own Lamp Recycling plant it had decided to design and manufacture rather than import equipment like all other recycling companies had done. In view of its large number of lampcrushers in use, Balcan designed the plant to accept both whole and crushed lamps of all kinds. This is capable of individually separating phosphor powder, glass, metal and plastic components for disposal back to relevant industries. As a result Balcan is able to offer clients the widest range of lamp recycling industries. As a result Balcan is able to offer clients the widest range of lamp recycling services available:

 

  1. We can supply lamp crushers for clients to purchase and use themselves.
  2. Collection of lamp debris from existing lamp crushers.
  3. On-site visits to crush lamps and collect the resultant debris.
  4. On-site visit to collect whole lamps where it is impractical to crush on-site.
  5. We can supply a wide range of lamp storage units to conveniently and safely store waste lamps.

Having started in January 1972, Balcan prides itself for having remained in business for more than 32 years designing and manufacturing its own range of unique equipment, whilst offering the highest quality of services and advice.