How to dispose of light bulbs

Different regions will have varying rules and regulations around throwing away light bulbs, so it’s important to find out how to dispose of light bulbs in the UK. 

If you've got incandescent or halogen light bulbs, you can dispose of them in your general waste bin. However, you shouldn't throw energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) away like this. These bulbs contain small amounts of mercury and must be disposed of properly at a household waste recycling centre. Some retailers and local councils also provide facilities for recycling light bulbs.

If you're still unsure how you dispose of lightbulbs in the UK, check your local council’s website for further guidance.

How do you dispose of LED light bulbs in the UK?

LED light bulbs can also go in your household waste bin, although it's better for the environment to recycle them properly at a household waste recycling centre or some retailers.

Although many light bulbs are recyclable, some aren't, so it's important to know how to dispose of old light bulbs correctly, double-checking local guidelines and using designated collection points or facilities for your specific type of light bulb.

You typically can't recycle incandescent bulbs because they contain wires that are hard to separate from the glass. Both incandescent and halogen bulbs should be disposed of in your general waste.

Fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) contain hazardous substances like mercury, lead and cadmium. These bulbs can be recycled but require specialist handling to ensure these hazardous materials don't contaminate the environment. They should be taken to a dedicated recycling facility.

LED bulbs are widely recycled at many recycling facilities.

What types of light bulbs can be recycled?

• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). These energy-efficient bulbs — the ones that look like a spiral — provide similar light to incandescent bulbs but use significantly less energy. They contain small amounts of mercury, making proper recycling crucial to prevent hazardous materials from entering the environment.

• Fluorescent tubes. You'll typically find these long, cylindrical bulbs in commercial settings. Like CFLs, they also contain mercury, so recycling them is essential to reduce environmental harm and allow for the recovery of valuable components.

• Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. LED bulbs are highly energy-efficient and long-lasting bulbs used in a wide range of applications — from residential lighting to electronics and displays. Although LEDs typically don’t contain mercury, they do have electronic components and metals that can be recycled, reducing waste and conserving resources.

• High-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs. Commonly used in industrial and outdoor lighting, HID bulbs contain small amounts of hazardous materials, making recycling essential.

• UV light bulbs. These types of bulbs are often found in medical or industrial settings. As they contain mercury, they should be recycled at designated facilities.

Where can you recycle light bulbs?

 If you're unsure how to dispose of old light bulbs, your best option is to check your local council's website. Most areas will have nearby household recycling centres or designated recycling collection points for items like light bulbs. Many larger retailers, such as supermarkets or DIY shops, also have recycling bins for light bulbs.

 Before recycling, make sure you prepare your old light bulbs properly by wrapping them in newspaper or putting them in a cardboard box to prevent breakage.

Why recycle light bulbs?

Not only does recycling bulbs prevent hazardous materials (such as mercury) from leaking into landfills and contaminating soil and water, but it also conserves valuable resources. Materials from old bulbs, like glass and metals, can be reused to manufacture new products. So, it’s important to know how to dispose of old light bulbs properly.

What types of light bulbs can NOT be recycled?

• Incandescent bulbs. These bulbs are made primarily of glass and metal filaments, meaning the cost and effort required to recycle them outweigh the benefits. They should be thrown away with general waste.

• Halogen bulbs. These bulbs are a type of incandescent bulb filled with halogen gas. As such, they cannot be recycled.

• Neon bulbs. You'll often find these types of bulbs in signage or used for decorative lighting. These bulbs contain gases that make them difficult to recycle.

• Heat lamps. Although these lamps generate heat rather than light, they should be treated similarly when it comes to disposing of them. The materials in these bulbs aren't commonly recycled, so they should be thrown away with general waste.

• LED bulbs (in some areas). Most LED bulbs are widely recycled. However, some areas lack the facilities for proper disposal, so always check your local guidelines.

How to dispose of non-recyclable light bulbs?

Many non-recyclable light bulbs, such as incandescent or halogen bulbs, can be thrown away with general waste so long as special considerations are made to prevent breakage and potential injury. You should always wrap bulbs in paper or place them in a sturdy container before putting them in the bin.

However, it's always worth checking your local guidelines before throwing away light bulbs, as some contain hazardous materials that may require specialist disposal methods.

When disposing of broken light bulbs, it's important to use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, to protect yourself from shards of glass. Broken glass should be carefully wrapped and sealed before recycling or putting it in the bin.

 Extra care should be taken when dealing with broken compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and fluorescent bulbs, as they contain hazardous materials like mercury.

Steps to take if a CFL breaks 

1. Ventilate the area for at least 10 to 15 minutes by opening all the windows and doors. This will help to disperse any released mercury vapour.

2. Before handling, put on disposable gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from sharp glass and hazardous materials.

3. Using stiff paper or cardboard, carefully pick up the pieces of glass. Avoid using your hands directly.

4. Wrap the broken pieces of glass in paper and put them in a sealable plastic bag or container to prevent leakage.

5. Take the sealed bag or container to a designated recycling facility that accepts CFLs (check your local guidelines).

Steps to take if an incandescent or halogen bulb breaks

1. Keep pets and children away from the broken bulb while you clear it up.

2. Put on gloves to protect your hands from sharp shards of glass.

3. Use a stiff piece of paper or cardboard to carefully collect larger pieces of glass.

4. Use a broom or dustpan and brush to sweep up smaller glass fragments (don't use a vacuum cleaner, which could cause the glass to break further).

5. Wrap the broken pieces of glass in paper before putting them in a sturdy bag or container.

6. Dispose of the broken bulb in your regular household waste bin.