Eastern Electrical Ballymount scooped the award for ‘Most Improved Branch’ for lighting recycling at Ireland’s second Association of Electrical Wholesalers (AEW) awards in Dublin recently. Sponsored by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland, the awards celebrated the best performers in lighting recycling across AEW’s 130 members in Ireland last year. Eastern Electrical Ballymount was recognised for its green, sustainable business practices for recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in 2023.
“We are thrilled to be recognised for our commitment to recycling waste lighting from our customers,” said Fergus Pierce of. Eastern Electrical Ballymount. “This award is a significant morale boost for our team and reaffirms our dedication to making a positive environmental impact, no matter how small.”
A total of 14 lighting recycling recognition awards were handed out across the six wholesale trade buying groups that form the AEW – CEF, EWL Electric, Fegime, IEBG, Kellihers and the Independents – with two awards presented per group for Best Performing Branch and Most Improved Branch. An additional two new awards were handed out for Best Performing Group, which went to IEBG, and Best Performing Branch for ‘WEEE Handling and Presentation”, awarded by WEEE Ireland’s recycling partner, Irish Lamps Recycling. Twelve staff training awards were also presented along with two special recognition awards for individuals who have dedicated significant time and energy to the AEW and the electrical industry, serving as longstanding electrical wholesaler sector lighting recycling partners of WEEE Ireland.
Tony Cullen of Euro Sales received the first special recognition award for his 13-year tenure as AEW Treasurer, his involvement in setting up the WEEE Recycling scheme, and his strong advocacy for the AEW Staff Training Programme. The second special recognition award was given to Noel Simpson of NJ Simpson Ltd, who has been a prominent figure in the AEW for many years, serving as both President and Chairman.
“A big well done to all our winners whose recycling efforts are delivering a positive impact on the environment over the long term,” said Leo Donovan, CEO, WEEE Ireland, as he presented the awards. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the AEW and its chair, Ken Legros, for their longstanding support of lighting recycling as well as Tony and Noel for their energy and commitment. “WEEE Ireland is proud to continue its partnership with the lighting industry, particularly AEW members, to provide environmentally positive solutions for the takeback and recycling of waste lighting materials.”
Chairman of the AEW, Ken Legros, commended all the winners and thanked WEEE Ireland along with key AEW member groups and sponsors. “I’d like to thank the AEW and its 130 members as well as Leo Donovan of WEEE Ireland who work closely to improve WEEE recycling performance in the industry, by driving lighting take back and recycling awareness across the electrical wholesale and trade sector,” he said.
“The awards are a great way to celebrate, recognise and reward the businesses and the individuals who have excelled in both lighting recycling and our specialised sector staff training programmes over the last year. “All of these awards have been hotly contested over the last 12 months and winners should be very proud of their achievements.”
WEEE Ireland works in partnership with AEW to facilitate the return and recycling of waste lighting across all 26 counties. Recycling partner, Irish Lamps Recycling, works with electrical wholesalers and contractors to collect waste lighting directly from their premises for processing at their EN 50625 certified facilities in Athy, Co Kildare. Recycling lighting waste ensures that any harmful substances are removed safely and the valuable raw materials used in the production of these items can be recycled and given a new lease of life, supporting the circular economy.
