7/12/2023 0 Comments Dispose of halogen bulbs![]() These substances can be absorbed through the skin or by inhalation, which could be harmful to you as well as any waste management workers. When these bulbs break, they can release harmful substances into the air and nearby water sources. When you dispose of fluorescent and CFL bulbs in your regular rubbish, the risk of bulb breakage is high. This is because most fluorescent lamps contain potentially harmful substances, particularly mercury, lead, and cadmium. All fluorescent and discharge lamps are now classified as hazardous waste in line with the WEEE Directive. How to Dispose of Fluorescent and Compact Fluorescent (CFL) BulbsĬFL light bulb disposal is not as straightforward as discarding old incandescent or halogen bulbs. They should not be recycled, and it’s a good idea to wrap these bulbs in something before you throw them out in case they shatter. Like incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs can be disposed of with your normal household waste. PRO TIP: Consider wrapping incandescent bulbs or disposing of them in a box in case they shatter. Don’t be tempted to recycle them – they cannot be recycled with regular glass because they contain fine wires that are very difficult to separate, and the costs to recycle these bulbs are prohibitively high. How to Dispose of Incandescent BulbsĮxpired incandescent bulbs should be disposed of with your household rubbish. Other bulbs, including CFLs and some LEDs, must be disposed of properly. This is because they do not contain any harmful chemicals or components that require special handling. Only incandescent and halogen bulbs can be disposed of with your regular trash. How To Dispose of Light Bulbs and Batteries We are part of the Recolight compliance scheme, please visit their website for the latest rules and regulations regarding the correct disposal of lightbulbs ( or contact us for further information. If you see this symbol, you know that these bulbs need to be disposed of separately according to proper procedures. How do you know if your bulbs are included in WEEE legislation? The relevant electrical goods should be marked with a crossed-out wheelie bin symbol. Disposing of light bulbs and other WEEE properly is important because some bulbs contain hazardous materials that can be harmful to people and the environment, and it also makes it easier to re-use the valuable materials from dead bulbs. The amount of WEEE we throw away is increasing each year and is the fastest growing waste stream in the UK. This means that retailers must allow consumers to return their waste equipment, including certain types of light bulbs, free of charge. The WEEE Directive requires producers – not consumers – to pay for the collection, treatment, and recovery of waste electrical equipment. This legislation, called the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, is now UK and European law. Fluorescent tubes, Compact Fluorescent and LEDs contain materials that are harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly, which has led to legislation that aims to make properly disposing of light bulbs and other electronic waste easier for consumers. Not all light bulbs can be thrown in the bin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |