Recycling lights and light bulbs

With the dazzling range of lighting available, recycling lights and light bulbs can be confusing. But really it’s simple: just recycle ALL your light bulbs.

Hand holding a compact fluorescent lightbulb. Recycling lighting and lightbulbs starts with finding out which type of bulb you have. Hand holding a compact fluorescent lightbulb. Recycling lighting and lightbulbs starts with finding out which type of bulb you have.

How to recycle light bulbs

Here’s what to do with old light bulbs and light fittings

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ASK

Do you have any lightbulbs that no longer work?

illustration of bag to collect old electrcials for recycling

BAG IT

Bag them up ready for your next visit to a recycling centre – or until collection day, if you have one.

Illustration of recycling locator icon on laptop

CHECK

Then find your nearest recycling point using our locator. You can also drop them off at a shop when you buy a new one. It’s that easy.

Recycling locator
Rrecycling of lights and lightbulbs helps with proper disposal of materials such as mercury, which is present in some types of bulb electric vehicle charging

Did you know?

Recycling lights and light bulbs – a simple guide

All domestic light bulbs can be reused or recycled. But don’t put them in your household waste or recycling, because some light bulbs contain potentially dangerous substances such as mercury. Remove all bulbs from their fittings when recycling them.

Fluourescent lamp icon

Fluorescent tubes

Fluorescent tube strip lights contain small amounts of mercury – so it’s important to recycle them safely.

Graphic of a compact Fluorescent light (CFL) bulb

Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Energy-saving Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury – so remember to recycle them safely.

LED Light bulb

LED light bulbs

LEDs are long lasting and energy efficient. What’s more, all LEDs can be recycled including strips of LEDs and even broken Christmas tree lights. We’re big fans of LEDs.

Graphic of a halogen light bulb

Halogen bulbs

Halogen bulbs are similar to incandescent bulbs in the way they work but are more efficient. They also give off a bright white light as opposed to a warmer yellow light.

Graphic of an Incandescent bulb

Incandescent light bulbs

Incandescent bulbs work by heating a wire filament to a certain temperature that produces light. They are the original form of electric lighting.

Where to recycle old light bulbs

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