70|CUADERNOS Correct separation of components from lamps and luminaries Low energy lamps have an average of 4-5 mg of mercury, a chemical that is very toxic if dumped in the environment. They can emit a carcinogenic ultraviolet radiation that could reach a distance of up to 30 centimeters. According to a recent study of the Spanish, ecologic technology company Iwop, in Spain, 300 million blown bulbs are generated each year. Most of them end up in dumps in India or Pakistan. As stated by the general manager of Iwop, Angel Ruiz, “One lamp is not the problem. The problem arises when refuse accumulates. Citizens do not know where to throw away these residues, not even if they can be recycled”, he adds. Against this background, it is important to design, manufacture and distribute lamps with a longer life span which would avoid the need to look for a place to dispose of them. Furthermore, it is of the utmost importance to find systems that inherently have a more controlled recycle and a larger reutilization of the materials that make up said light sources. Conferences, presentations, and training courses on recycling There are many initiatives being carrying out every year in the topic of recycling. For example, the last “Ecoencuentro”, organized by the Recyclia foundation, in which their managing director, José Pérez, emphasized in their last edition, the entry into force of the new regulation. He did mention that it was “complicated to inforce because the network of recycle containers and locations was still inadequate. Some agencies and companies have signed agreements with associations conformed by professionals of the lighting field, in order to take the necessary actions to recycle and create awareness in the actors involved. Ecolum, for example, has signed and renewed several times an agreement with ASELEC (Association of Entrepreneurs Installers of Electricity, Telecommunications and Renewable Energies of Valencia) and FEMAL (Corporate Metallurgic Federation of Valencia). There have also being some European meetings, such as the past round table celebrated in Brussels in February 2015, to analyze the functionality and possibilities for improvement of the article 15, of RAEE management; or the IERC, that celebrated its XV edition on the past January 2016 in Salzburg. Recycle numbers in Spain During 2015, Ambilamp (Association for the Recycling of Lighting) collected almost 3.000 tons of lamps refuse and more than 1.000 luminaries, an increase in amount compared to the previous year. This has meant a reduction of more than 200 thousand tons of CO2 in the environment. The professionals involved in this process hold in high value these recent statistics. “These figures have been possible thanks to the increase in our network of drop-off locations and to the development of activities to create environmental awareness on the recycling of lamps and luminaries, intended for citizens as well as lighting professionals”, commented David Horcajada, Marketing Director of Ambilamp. In this study, other data was gathered such as the communities that had been more successful in their recycling efforts. Even though, Catalonia (574 tons), Madrid (427) and Andalusia (320) head the regions where more lamps have been collected, Castile and Leon, Catalonia and Madrid head the list of the cities that recycle more luminaries. During the first trimester of 2016, Ambilamp has collected 700 tons of lamps refuse and 235 of luminaries for recycling. ¿What is the correct way to recycle lamps? • The most important thing is to never throw out a lamp in the green container, that is, in the one for glass. They should be disposed in the container for waste, so they will be correctly recycled in the selection plant. • There is a reason for this. Incandescent lamps are made out of crystal and they contain filaments and metal screws, and these materials can pollute not only when thrown out on natural landfills but in the recycling process as well. • In regard to low energy lamps and fluorescents, that contain heavy metals, such as mercury, as a component, special care must be used in their recycle. It’s important to take them directly to a Green Spot. Some supermarkets and hardware stores have drop-off services for these lamps. • Furthermore, there are companies such as Recycla, Ambilamp or Ecolum that install containers and special drop-off points for lamps and luminaries. You can find more information in their web page and customer service contact telephone numbers. ■