A trial for Australia’s first globe disposal and recycling programme has kicked off at Beacon Lighting’s Heidelberg store this week.
The programme, know as Flashback, is a partnership between Sustainability Victoria and Lighting Council Australia, which have funded the trial together with light globe manufacturers and retailers including Beacon Lighting and Coles.
The programme launch comes at the right time as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garret, has announced a ban on the import of incandescent globes from November this year, with retailers permitted to sell existing stock for a further twelve months.
“The federal government’s ban on the import of incandescent globes from November this year necessitates the introduction of globe recycling program across Australia,” said Beacon Lighting’s General Manager – Merchandise, Glen Robinson.
“There is a strong demand from Australian consumers for a safe and convenient fluorescent globe disposal and recycling program. Beacon Lighting is delighted to be working with Sustainability Victoria and Lighting Council Australia on the globe recycling initiative,” he added.
The four-month trial will see 4 feet fluoro tube boxes and high-top wheelie bins placed in Beacon Lighting’s Heidelberg store as well as Coles stores in the regional areas of Ballarat and Ararat. Customers can visit these stores and place both incandescent and fluorescent globes into the bins for disposal and recycling by Advanced Recycling Australasia (ARA).
Data collected over the four-month period will be used to determine the logistics of implementing an ongoing globe recycling program such as the number and location of collection points, frequency of collection and associated costs.
“The Flashback trial will not only provide important data, it will also encourage Victorians to switch to energy efficient lighting and dispose of CFLs responsibly,” said John Ward from Sustainability Victoria.
Flashback is a Victorian government ResourceSmart programme. Lighting Council Australia hopes that following the trial, all Australian states will initiate permanent globe disposal and recycling programmes.