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      Insights

      Closing the loop

      The Take Back recycling program closes the loop. Old light poles are collected and stripped and then all parts are returned to the technical cycle.

      old light poles
      Returning aluminium light poles

      What is Take Back?

      Take Back is a system developed by Hydro to relieve our customers. For a replacement project, a municipality can opt for the Take Back system. When supplying new poles, Hydro returns the old aluminum light poles in its entirety (including the fixture, cabling, etc.), after which all parts are stripped and fully returned to the technical cycle.

      Reuse of materials

      The aluminum is melted into billets in our own recycling unit. Subsequently, the billets at the Extrusion department are extruded into aluminum tubes from which Pole Products produces new light poles. The residual flows that Hydro cannot process are returned to the technical cycle by a waste specialist. 

      Circular economy

      Closing the material chain contributes to a better environment. The Take Back system is intended to maximize the reusability of products and raw materials and to minimize depreciation. The system fits in perfectly with sustainable objectives as closing cycles, reuse of materials and retention of valuable resources. All topics of a circular economy.

      Design for reuse

      Pole Products develops their products in such a way that they can be fully recycled at the end of their lifespan. The basis for this lies in the use of healthy materials and designs for reuse. The development of solutions based on the Cradle to Cradle principles simplifies the dismantling of our light poles and helps our customers to adapt to a circular economy.