Removal and disposal of end-of-life light fittings is an important aspect of jobs in lighting. Particularly at financially tough times, how to properly discard waste lighting products is an issue that deserves much attention from those business owners who wish to help protecting the environment while striving to boost efficiency and cut costs.

Current legislations such as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive oblige those manufacturers of such equipment to establish an infrastructure for collecting waste from private households free of charge. More importantly, these manufacturers are compelled to use the collected waste in an environmentally friendly manner. In the case of old light fittings, whether they are to be ecologically discarded or simply recycled, there is much that those with jobs in lighting can do to help.

For example, those with lighting jobs would know that according to the WEEE Directive, only those end-of-life light fittings installed before August 13, 2005 need to be replaced by the manufacturer of the replacement equipment. If there is no replacement equipment, as in a demolition project, then the responsibility falls on the end-user of the old light fittings.

On the other hand, all waste lighting products installed after August 13, 2005 should be disposed of by their original manufacturers. This applies to demolition projects as well, where those companies producing the now-defunct lighting products are required to take care of their disposal and relevant costs. Those with lighting jobs can certainly help business owners determine who is responsible for doing what in which scenario.

An even more critical issue is the handling of fluorescent, metal halide and sodium discharge lamps, which contain mercury and are classified as hazardous waste. As those with jobs in lighting would know, these lamps should be separated from general light fittings before disposal in order to protect both the environment and the health of all personnel involved. The same rule applies to batteries in special lighting equipment as self-contained emergency light fittings, which should be removed for special treatment.

Specifically, because waste lighting products are usually shredded and used to make new light fittings, failing to remove hazardous material may result in the whole consignment being contaminated, so that everything has to be treated as hazardous waste. The consequences can be serious -- while the overall disposal costs may increase considerably, the company responsible for discarding the waste lighting products may become open to prosecution under hazardous waste laws. It is therefore the responsibility of those with jobs in lighting to inform their business clients about such risk.

Finally, it is highly recommended that businesses appoint qualified contractors who are experienced in not only end-of-life lighting equipment disposal, but also hazardous waste management. Even more crucial is for the two parties to specify their tasks, i.e. who is responsible for waste segregation and its storage prior to collection. Again, those with lighting jobs may act as providers of expertise to those businesses requiring professional help, ensuring that everything is done efficiently and by the law.