An innovative Take-Back Scheme by Wolseley and Grundfos that encourages customers to return their heating circulators to be recycled is having a major positive impact according to new figures.
The circular economy is important as it eliminates waste and pollution and keeps valuable materials in use for longer. It is seen as a vital part of addressing environmental challenges.
Since the industry-first Take Back scheme was launched at the beginning of November 2021, around 900 heating circulators have been returned, saving an equivalent 1839kg of CO2 and 2,386l of water.
Seventy branches across the Wolseley network currently take part in the scheme; a number that Wolseley and Grundfos are looking to increase by the end of 2022.
The companies are also looking at including other products, such as shower pumps, that have the potential for being recycled.
Customers wanting to recycle domestic and light commercial circulators can simply take them to their local participating Wolseley branch, where it will be placed in storage before being taken by Grundfos to its recycling facility in the Northeast of England.
The recycling process, which is carried out by Grundfos, consumes only 50% of the water required by the conventional recycling processes and emits 13.5% less greenhouse gases.
Keith Dorling, Managing Director at Wolseley Plumbing & Heating, said: "Our Take-Back scheme with Grundfos is fast accelerating as more-and-more customers hear about it. We're really pleased with the success of the scheme, and we hope to work with other manufacturers on similar projects."
Neal Saunders, Regional Sales Manager at Grundfos, which is the largest pump manufacturer in the world, said: "The Take-Back Scheme with Wolseley has achieved amazing results and shows a real commitment by customers to reduce their environmental impact when given the opportunity."
