Interview


journey, how many businesses we can help adopt these practices. We also see success in terms of influence. If this initiative encourages broader conversations within the electrical and renewables sector around circular economy practices, and if it inspires other distributors or manufacturers to prioritise end-of-life strategies, then we have helped raise the bar for the whole industry.


“This partnership has set a new standard for how solar waste is handled in the UK, moving towards more responsible, long- term lifecycle management in the renewables sector.”


purity silicon, silver and glass are recovered and less than 1% ends up as waste. At its core, this initiative is about reducing our reliance on virgin materials. With over one million tonnes of PV modules expected to require recycling across Europe by 2025, we’re proud to be part of the solution.


Why were ROSI and Waste Experts your partner of choice for this venture? ROSI and Waste Experts were the ideal partners for this initiative. Our shared commitment to sustainability and responsible waste management made the collaboration a natural fit. At CEF, our team is focused on driving meaningful environmental progress, whether that’s by supporting contractors through training, promoting low-impact technologies, or helping customers make more informed choices. ROSI is a leader in the end-of-life solar panel recycling space and the company’s expertise in building effective recycling frameworks made it a clear choice to bring that knowledge to the UK. Waste Experts, with its nationwide collection and logistics capabilities, helped us deliver a truly accessible and scalable solution. Together, this partnership allows us to set a new standard for how solar waste is handled in the UK, moving towards more responsible, long-term lifecycle management in the renewables sector.


How will you measure the success of the initiative?


Success for us means seeing tangible environmental benefits and changes, such as a reduction in the number of solar panels that end up in landfills, the recovery of valuable materials and a significant decrease in carbon emissions. It’s also about engagement, how many customers we can involve in this


ewnews.co.uk July 2025 electrical wholesaler | 25


It’s also important to view this initiative in the wider context of national goals. Currently, the UK has a legally binding target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and I believe we still have a long way to achieving that goal. It will take a system wide collaborative effort across supply chains, policy makers and end users. That’s why our partnership with ROSI and Waste Experts is so important, as it shows how aligned action across partners can help us collectively more towards a more circular and sustainable energy future.


Can you tell me about your approach to sustainability within the group? At CEF, sustainability isn’t just a tick-box exercise; it’s embedded across everything we do. Our


approach is about building long-term, practical change across the entire supply chain, from product sourcing and logistics to training and customer support. We’re focused on enabling real, on-the-ground progress, not just talking about sustainability, but making it accessible and actionable for our customers. We also work closely with manufacturers to ensure we’re offering one of the widest and most future-focused product ranges available, while continually adapting our operations to reduce waste, improve efficiency and support the circular economy.


In what other ways do you support your customers in their sustainability journey?


We ensure they’re well-informed about the wide range of sustainable products available and how those products can benefit their businesses. This starts with our own teams. We invest heavily in training so that our branch staff are equipped with the knowledge they need to guide customers and help them make confident, informed decisions. We also have a dedicated team of renewable experts on hand to offer tailored support and advice throughout the customer’s journey into sustainable technologies. Staying ahead of industry trends is a priority for us, so we can anticipate our customers’ needs and respond proactively.


CEF just wrapped up #CEFLIVE25 - a huge success with over 12,000 attendees and more than 20 leading suppliers from across the industry. Turn to page 6 to find out more.


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