Gerrie Electric is committed to fostering a circular economy. Since 2009 we have taken back mercury-containing lights to ensure resources used in the initial production are captured and recovered through Take Back the Light.
Take Back the Light is built on circular economy and circular procurement principles. The circular economy aims to design out waste and pollution; keep products and materials in use at the highest possible value; and regenerate.Â
Circular procurement offers intervention points organizations can use to make purchasing choices more circular, and engage suppliers to create collaborative circular partnerships. For Take Back the Light, take-back and recovery is embedded in supplier agreements, and waste is designed out of the consumption stream in the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (IC&I) sector. This also strengthens local economies by creating fair competition among local service providers, and educates society on the impacts of their waste.
 Improperly handling of mercury-containing lamps are lost to disposal, where mercury can leach into groundwater and the surrounding environment, irreversibly damaging wildlife and human health.Â
991,872
LAMPS RECYCLED AND COUNTING!
With a holistic view, end-of-life lamp management is made easy and convenient with Take Back the Light and Gerrie Electric.Â
Ninety-eight percent of every lamp collected by Gerrie Electric is recovered and reused, where possible, to feed back into the production process to support a sustainable economy that benefits society and the environment.
Built on the tradition of service, Gerrie is one of the largest independent electrical distributors in Canada. Our comprehensive product offering is supported by an extraordinary service commitment from 370 employees in 24 key Ontario locations. With a dedicated team of Lighting Specialists and an LC on staff, contact us for a simple solution to recycling your lamps and creating a healthier future.
Never throw broken lights and tubes in the garbage. But accidents can happen! If your mercury-containing bulbs and tubes are broken take the following steps:Â
- Ventilate the area for at least 15 minutes prior to clean-up. This ensures that mercury vapour levels are reduced.Â
- Wear gloves, if available to avoid direct contact with mercury and to prevent cuts.
- Scoop or sweep the broken pieces and debris with two pieces of stiff paper or cardboard. Put debris into a sealed container. Do not use a vacuum or broom because it may spread mercury vapour and dust, and contaminate the apparatus.
- Use sticky tape, such as duct or masking, to pick up any remaining fine glass or powder.
- Wipe the area with a damp paper towel, cloth, or disposable wet wipe to remove any residual particles.Â
- Place the broken glass and wiping material in a container with a tight-fitting lid/closure to further minimize the release of mercury vapour.
  Contact Gerrie Lamp and Ballast Recycling
