Apollo’s detector-focused dust covers shift from PVC to rPET

The covers – themselves a vital component serving to protect fire detectors during installation and commissioning procedures – have been re-engineered to support Apollo’s wider sustainability strategy.

Previously manufactured from virgin PVC, the old covers posed recycling challenges, very often ending up in landfill or producing harmful emissions when incinerated. Apollo has now switched to a new design made from 97% recycled PET (rPET). This innovation makes the dust covers fully recyclable (PET ‘1’), while cutting the use of virgin plastic by 97%, in turn significantly reducing annual plastic waste.

Adil Sardardeen, sustainability manager at Apollo, informed Fire Safety Matters: “This is a small component with a big signal. Our move to rPET turns a necessary site accessory into a circular choice, aligns with UK plastics policy and proves how our product pillar converts strategy into everyday decisions.”

Sardardeen added: “It’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about setting the pace for sustainable product design and showing how innovation can shrink our environmental footprint, while raising the bar for the industry.”

Switch to rPET

The switch to rPET is the end result of a cross-functional collaboration spanning Apollo’s supply chain, engineering and compliance teams. Extensive testing has confirmed that rPET performs on par with PVC, delivering the same high standard of protection under real-world conditions.

In addition to improving recyclability, this initiative supports compliance with environmental regulations such as the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax, which incentivises recycled content. Apollo’s proactive adoption of rPET goes beyond these requirements, setting a benchmark for the industry.

As referenced, the redesigned dust covers are part of a wider programme of sustainability initiatives across Apollo, including the roll-out of recycled cardboard packaging, the evaluation of recycled polycarbonate alternatives for detectors and the use of lifecycle assessments to inform product development.

In the last few weeks alone, Apollo has achieved EcoVadis Platinum: recognition of the hard work put in to make sustainability central to every element of the business.

“These projects reflect Apollo’s commitment to embedding sustainability into everything we do,” concluded Sardardeen. “We’re proud to play our part in creating a safer and greener future for our customers and communities.”

*Further information is available online at www.apollo-fire.co.uk