Flaherty Markets Electrical Galway scooped the award for ‘Best Performing Branch’ for lighting recycling at Ireland’s second Association of Electrical Wholesalers (AEW ) awards in Dublin recently.
Sponsored by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE ) Ireland, the awards celebrated the best performers in lighting recycling across AEW’s 130 members in Ireland last year.
During 2025 AEW’s 130 wholesalers took back a total of 473 tonnes of lamps, fittings, and luminaires.
Flaherty Markets Electrical Galway was recognised for its green, sustainable business practices for recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE ) in 2025.
“We are delighted to be recognised for our commitment to recycling waste lighting from our customers,” said Michael O’Flaherty, Managing Director at Flaherty Markets Electrical Galway.
“This award reaffirms our dedication to making a positive environmental impact and is a great boost for our team.”
A total of 14 lighting recycling recognition awards were handed out across the six wholesale trade buying groups that form the AEW – CEF, EWL Electric, Fegime, IEBG, Kellihers and the Independents – with two awards presented per group for Best Performing Branch and Most Improved Branch.
An additional two new awards were handed out for Best Performing Group and Best Performing Branch for ‘WEEE Handling and Presentation”, awarded by WEEE Ireland’s recycling partner, Irish Lamps Recycling.
“The recycling efforts of all of our winners deliver a really positive impact on the environment, so a big well done to all,” said Leo Donovan, CEO, WEEE Ireland, as he presented the awards.
“Our thanks to the Association of Electrical Wholesalers and its chair, Ken Legros, for their longstanding support of lighting recycling. In partnering with WEEE Ireland we can all work together to provide environmentally positive solutions for the takeback and recycling of waste lighting materials.”
Chairman of the AEW, Ken Legros, commended all the winners and thanked WEEE Ireland along with key AEW member groups and sponsors.
“The awards are a great way to celebrate and recognise the businesses who have excelled in both lighting recycling, and the winners should be very proud of their achievements,” said Mr. Legros.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to the AEW and its 130 members as well as Leo Donovan of WEEE Ireland who work closely to facilitate the return and recycling of waste lighting across the electrical wholesale and trade sector in all 26 counties.”
Recycling partner, Irish Lamps Recycling, works with electrical wholesalers and contractors to collect waste lighting directly from their premises for processing at their EN 50625 certified facilities in Athy, Co Kildare.
Recycling lighting waste ensures that any harmful substances are removed safely and the valuable raw materials used in the production of these items can be recycled and given a new lease of life, supporting the circular economy.
