A SUPERMARKET is one of the first stores in the country to offer energy saving light bulb and battery recycling facilities.

Sainsbury's in Bugsby's Way, Greenwich, has been working in partnership with recycling specialist firm, Recolight, to install a container where shoppers can dispose of their used batteries and bulbs.

The items are then collected and sent for recycling at approved treatment facilities.

Store manager Andrew Cooper said: “We’re going a step further than most retailers by offering to recycle energy-saving bulbs in addition to batteries.

“People want to recycle energy-saving light bulbs but are often unsure of where the nearest recycling facilities are.

"The recycling point in our Greenwich store will be visible to thousands of customers every week, and we hope that this will help make a difference to recycling in the local area.”

New legislation means all superstores are required to provide battery recycling by the beginning of next year, but Sainsbury’s is the only supermarket which has chosen to collect energy-saving light bulbs as well.

Recolight Chief Executive Nigel Harvey said: "We have already had considerable success keeping commercial lamps out of landfill. Working with Sainsbury’s will help us to significantly increase the number of consumer lamps that are recycled.

"Research has indicated that consumers will recycle energy-saving light bulbs if they have access to suitable drop off points. Sainsbury’s stores provide an excellent location for these joint collections.”