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When your light bulbs reach the end of their life, you now have to look into how to dispose of them. There’s a lot of different factors at play, but getting it right will help keep your home eco-friendly and safe!

Incandescent Or Halogen Bulbs

These old-fashioned bulbs are becoming less and less common in most households, especially as they are no longer manufactured and are being phased out slowly.

However, you may still have some in your lights and store cupboards, so it’s still important that you know how to get rid of them. Luckily, it’s really simple! You can throw them away as part of your normal household rubbish.

For extra safety, it’s wise to wrap them up in something (like a paper towel) when you throw them, just in case they shatter.

Unfortunately, these bulbs can’t be recycled, because they contain very fine wires that are difficult to separate from the glass during the recycling process.  If you want to be as eco-friendly as possible, replace these bulbs with recyclable alternatives!

CFL Bulbs

CFLs are made using mercury, which is a very dangerous substance. CFLs are completely safe to use day-to-day, but it adds extra complications when it comes to disposal. If a CFL ends up in a landfill, then this can be very dangerous for the environment.

It also means you can’t place these bulbs in household recycling in case they break during the process. You’ll have to check with your local recycling centre if they accept CFL light bulbs. You may have to go to a specialist, depending on your area

As mentioned, CFLs can be very dangerous should they be broken. If this happens there are several steps you can take to ensure your safety.

What To Do If A CFL Bulb Shatters

1. Put on gloves and a mask. This will shield you from toxic dust.
2. Collect any broken bits in a damp paper towel, then place this in an airtight container. Avoid contact on the skin at all costs.
3. Air out the room by opening your windows and turning on any fans or air conditioning.
4. Clean the area around where the bulb shattered.
5. Take the box to a recycling centre.

LED Bulbs

Most modern LEDs are completely recyclable with a minimum of fuss. Most people will be able to easily throw them in with their traditional household recycling. However, it is worth checking with your local council that this is the case in your local area. If it’s not, it’s a simple matter to take your bulbs to a recycling centre, where there will be somewhere they can be disposed of.

Always double-check the packaging your bulb came in to confirm it’s recyclable!

If you’re using an integrated LED, where the LED chips are incorporated into the fitting, you’ll need to take this on a case-by-case basis. Keep hold of any packaging and take the lamp to an area with electronic recycling services.

With this in mind, you can see just how eco-friendly LEDs at the end of their lifespans are compared to all alternatives on the market, with minimal fuss required on your end. Add to this the fact that LED last far longer and are more energy-efficient, and you’ll have green lighting for years to come!

If you’ve got any more questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team. We can be contacted over the phone on 0116 321 4120, or you can send us an email to cs@wled.co.uk.

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