At the end of 2011, UK corporation Revend Recycling Limited launched a ‘reverse vending’ recycling machine for the collection and recycling of domestic light bulbs and batteries.

The machine, called the Revend, has the option of giving out discount vouchers or other rewards to customers depositing bulbs. It was jointly designed and developed by Revend Recycling and Repant ASA, a corporation listed on the Norwegian Stock Exchange.
The light bulb recycling machine has an optional add-on unit for the collection and recycling of domestic batteries.

Revend says the machine was developed in response to increased consumer demand for light bulb recycling, the international change over to compact fluorescent and LED domestic light bulbs and the growth of government policies encouraging battery recycling worldwide.

Following a trial at its Lakeside Shopping Centre store near London, Ikea has agreed to roll the machines out to stores in the UK, Germany and Denmark.

According to a report by the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers, only a third of businesses and just two percent of individuals recycle their compact fluorescent bulbs. This contributes to the release of roughly four tons of mercury a year.

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