The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment compliance provider Recolight has come up with a new system for recovering the rare earth minerals that come from Gas Dishcarge Lamps. Now lamp producers and light companies will be able to reuse.
In recent years, there has been a shortage of rare earth materials - which are used to make the phosphor coatings in ceiling light fittings - and this has led to price fluctuations in the lamp market that has been noticed by clients.
The amount of rare earth minerals that are used in the manufacturing process of phosphors is second only to that which is used in magnets.
More than half of the phosphor used in linear fluorescent and compact fluorescent lightings is derived from rare earth minerals, with as many as five different elements used in the creation on white light, Lighting magazine reports.
Phosphors containing cerium, europium and terbium are widely used in the coatings for blue LED chips, which help in the creation of white light. As well as this, rare earth-based phosphors are used to improve the balance of light produced by metal halide lamps.
Operations manager of Recolight Alan Hawkins commented: "This is a real step forward for Recolight and its members. The scarcity of rare earths has been a real concern to the lighting industry. Implementing this new system will benefit our members and help to ensure a sustainable future in the industry."
Recolight currently has a membership of more than 120 producers and importers of lamps and works for some of the largest firms in the world.
It is important to recycle your compact fluorescent lights with professionals because the rare earth minerals that could not only be reused again, but also because they have harmful materials that could cause serious injury to people if they are inadvertently exposed to them.
Check out our Searchlight Park Lane 2 light wall bracket for inspiration lighting the outside of your property!
