Closing the Loop: One Year of Bollard Recycling at TMP

When we launched the TMP Bollard Recycling Scheme this time last year, the goal was simple – to help local authorities and contractors reduce waste, save resources, and make highway infrastructure more sustainable. Just twelve months later, we’re proud to say the scheme is going from strength to strength.

Across the country, we’ve seen a fantastic response from councils, contractors and highways teams who share our commitment to reducing environmental impact. Hundreds of pallets of old shell bollards have now been collected, processed and recycled into new materials, keeping tonnes of plastic out of landfill and helping to close the loop on end-of-life street furniture.

The image above shows just one of the latest collections, with stacks of worn, damaged and redundant illuminated bollards ready to be given a new life. Each one represents progress – a small but meaningful step towards a circular economy on our roads.

Every recycled shell bollard is being replaced with one of our Retroreflective Self Righting Bollards (RSRBs) – products designed to provide long-term performance without the need for electrical power or complex maintenance. The transition from base-lit bollards to reboundable, non-illuminated designs has multiple benefits.

Not only do RSRBs reduce energy consumption and eliminate the need for costly electrical connections, but they also help to cut light pollution and ongoing maintenance costs. The result is a safer, more sustainable and cost-effective solution for modern highways.

For local authorities, the change makes sense environmentally, operationally and financially. For the planet, it means less plastic waste and fewer energy-hungry lights on our roads.

At TMP, we’re passionate about creating genuine sustainability – not just through product design, but across the full lifecycle of everything we make. The Bollard Recycling Scheme is an important part of that approach.

Old bollards are returned to our recycling partners, where they are carefully sorted, shredded and reprocessed into raw material that can be used again in manufacturing. Nothing is wasted, and every batch that leaves our site for recycling helps reduce demand for virgin plastics.

It’s a simple idea, but one that makes a tangible difference. When multiplied across hundreds or even thousands of units, the impact quickly adds up.

The success of the scheme also demonstrates the value of collaboration within the supply chain. Local authorities, contractors and manufacturers all have a role to play in achieving the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 targets. By working together and sharing responsibility for the products we use, we can make significant progress towards a lower-carbon, circular economy.

For TMP, this is about taking practical action. Every recycled bollard is a reminder that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated – it just requires a commitment to doing things better.

We’re proud that our products are designed and made here in the UK, and that the recycling scheme keeps materials and value within our own economy. Reducing waste, lowering emissions and supporting British manufacturing are all part of the same mission: to create highways that work better for people and for the planet.

As we head into the next phase of the scheme, we’re exploring ways to make it even easier for customers to participate, from improved logistics and collection options to expanded recycling categories.

If your local authority or contracting team has old illuminated or damaged bollards ready to be replaced, get in touch with our team. We’ll help you arrange collection, recycling and replacement with our latest reboundable, energy-free solutions.

Together, we can keep valuable materials in use, reduce waste plastics in the environment and build a brighter, more sustainable future for the UK’s roads.