How to Dispose of Light Bulbs

The need for sustainability has transformed how we use and dispose of everyday products, including the humble light bulb. In the UK, recycling light bulbs is not just a matter of environmental responsibility – it’s also a requirement under certain regulations. This article looks at which light bulbs can be recycled, how to dispose of those that cannot, and the best practices for recycling.

Recyclable types of light bulbs

Advancements in technology have brought us light bulbs that are not only energy efficient but also easier to recycle. Three main types of recyclable light bulbs include:

  • LED bulbs: One of the most environmentally friendly options, LED bulbs contain no harmful substances. In theory, you can dispose of them with general waste. However, recycling is preferred to reclaim valuable materials like aluminium, lead and glass. LED strip lights, Christmas lights and solar-powered garden LED lights are also included in this category.
  • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs): These were the original “energy-saving bulbs”, and resemble coiled glass tubes. CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury, classifying them as hazardous waste. Under the WEEE Directive, these bulbs must be recycled so that the mercury and other chemicals are properly handled, before other components like glass and metal are recycled.
  • Fluorescent tubes: Similar to CFLs, fluorescent tubes also contain a small amount of mercury. They require specialised recycling processes to safely extract the chemicals and reclaim the recyclable materials.

Non-recyclable light bulbs

Despite the push towards recyclable options, some light bulbs still cannot be easily recycled due to their construction:

  • Traditional incandescent bulbs: These traditional bulbs do not tend to contain toxic chemicals, but their fine internal wires complicate the recycling process. They should be disposed of with regular household or commercial waste.
  • Halogen bulbs: Like incandescent bulbs, the fine wires within halogen bulbs prevent them from being recycled. These too can be safely discarded in your general waste bin without concern for toxic elements.

Disposal of non-recyclable light bulbs

For bulbs like incandescents and halogens, proper disposal is straightforward yet requires some precautions to prevent injury or mess. To protect you, your family and the local bin collection teams, they should be wrapped in waste paper, fabric or their original boxes to avoid breakage. Then they can safely be placed in your general waste bin.

Can broken light bulbs be recycled?

Even broken light bulbs need thoughtful disposal, especially if they contain hazardous substances like mercury. It is crucial to handle them with gloves, clean up any residues with paper towels, and ensure they are securely wrapped before disposal. Broken CFLs and fluorescent tubes should be placed in appropriate recycling containers to manage the hazardous materials safely. They often end up getting broken in the recycling containers anyway, so it’s not a problem.

Light bulb recycling – where to put them

Although they might appear to be made mainly of glass, you cannot put recyclable light bulbs into your regular domestic glass recycling bin. There are just too many other materials in the mix, mainly metals, for them to simply be treated as glass. Also, what appears to be glass might be plastic anyway. When recycling, you should put them in one of the following places:

  • WEEE bins: These are specially designated for collecting electrical waste, including light bulbs. Businesses and households can arrange delivery of these bins through licensed waste carriers.
  • Recycling centres: Many local council sites provide specific bins for safely disposing of all types of light bulbs. Keep all your spent bulbs in a box or bag, and when you next visit the recycling centre, you can take them with you. If in doubt, ask a member of staff where to put them – they’re always very knowledgeable.
  • Retail locations: Some supermarkets and large stores offer recycling points for light bulbs, often located near other recycling services like battery disposal units. It’s a handy way to dispose of them as you’re probably going there anyway, and they’ll know exactly what to do with them.

Switching up your light bulb disposal

While most modern light bulbs are recyclable in the UK, old-fashioned incandescent and halogen bulbs pose challenges due to their construction and materials. Disposing of all your bulbs thoughtfully both ensures compliance with environmental standards and contributes towards a greener planet.

As innovation in bulb technology continues, all types of light bulbs should hopefully soon be recyclable, further easing the process and helping your sustainability efforts. We’re on our way there already, with only really legacy bulbs from the incandescent era posing recycling problems. If you still have fluorescent bulbs, they’re the ones that need the most careful disposal, so hopefully this article will help you to do the bright thing.