Lightcycle Retourlogistik und Service GmbH is a non-profit organisation founded in 2005 in order to organise the nationwide collection of end-of-life lamps in Germany and to properly collect and recycle these products in line with producers’ legal obligations. Manufacturers and importers can thus meet those legal requirements (WEEE directive and the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act named ElektroG) by joining a system that is both ecologically and economically sustainable.

Lightcycle is the take-back system that collects the largest volume of end-of-life LED and gas discharge lamps in Europe. The company delivers the collected lamps to certified recycling plants, ensuring that they are professionally recycled.

The two main aspects for a successful collection are the nationwide set-up of an easily accessible collection network as well as intensive and ongoing information and awareness-building campaigns. Alongside the municipal collection network, Lightcyle has established an extensive voluntary network with disposal companies and partners in the wholesale channel and at retail outlets and electrical installation companies. In addition, we have been running campaigns aimed at both private and commercial consumers since the operative start of the system in the year 2006 to create awareness of the use of energy-efficient lighting technology as well as its proper disposal. We have been able to significantly increase knowledge about this subject, resulting in sustainable annual growth of our collection volume.

A further focus of the company is the creation of a level playing field and fair market conditions by conducting extensive market-surveillance activities. Producers who are not fulfilling their legal obligations according to the German ElektroG are prosecuted and forced into registration and compliant market behaviour.

As an additional service, Lightcycle is responsible for the administration of Elektro-Altgeräte Garantie GmbH. This company provides manufacturers and importers of lamps an easy and economically competitive guarantee system. It has the necessary accreditation of the German authorities and serves as the required basis to be registered by the national German register “stiftung ear” (Stiftung Elektro-Altgeräte Register).

Last but not least, Lightcycle offers manufacturers and importers of lighting products competent support to help them meet their time-consuming and complex legal obligations.