How to Properly Recycle Your Lightbulbs

Whenever you replace your lightbulbs, do you make sure to dispose of them properly?  Many people think that you can simply throw away your lightbulbs without any worry, but this is a misconception.  In fact, most people do not dispose of their lightbulbs as they should.  At our recycling center in Orlando, we recommend following our advice for properly recycling your lightbulbs to prevent accidents and increase recycling efforts.  Although proper disposal may vary throughout the regions of the country, here are the basic guidelines on how to properly recycle your lightbulbs depending on the type you own.

Fluorescent

These popular bulbs are great for saving energy in your home, which makes them a great replacement for any of the older bulbs in your home.  However, they contain the hazardous element of mercury, which must be disposed of properly.  If you throw fluorescent bulbs in the garbage, they will release toxic chemicals into landfills and endanger our planet.  Instead, you will want to recycle these bulbs so they can be repurposed and processed correctly.

Incandescent

This bulb can actually be thrown in the garbage.  Because incandescent bulbs do not contain any toxic chemicals, they do not pose any danger to the landfills.  Before you throw these lightbulbs away, you should wrap in them in dirty, old towels or other garbage to keep them from breaking.  Once they are broken, they can cause accidental injury to anyone who comes in contact with them.

LEDs

These bulbs are also energy efficient, which makes them a wildly popular option for many homeowners looking to curb their energy bills.  Although they do not contain mercury, they actually contain many other hazardous substances that will require special disposal.  When they end up in the landfill, they emit arsenic and lead into the air and ground, which can danger many.  You will want to contact your local recycling center in Orlando to see if they will accept LEDs.

Halogen

These bulbs contain halogen gas, which makes them difficult for recycling.  Although many people just simply throw these types of bulbs in the trash, you will want to first check with your recycling center to see if they will accept halogen bulbs.  This will differ depending on their ability to repurpose these bulbs.  No matter how you dispose of it, you want to be sure to wrap it to prevent any breaking.

Tubes

Typically, tubes are made from fluorescent materials, which mean they contain the toxic chemical of mercury.  Often times, you will want to try to dispose of this properly by avoiding the trash.  Tubes are easily breakable and difficult to pick up, so they present many hazards to those who handle them.  Contact your local recycling center in Orlando to see if they have special recycling programs to help you salvage these tubes.

These are the guidelines you should follow in order to properly dispose of your lightbulbs when you need to replace them.  Because many people are uneducated about lightbulb disposal, they actually just throw them in the waste bin without worry.  Increase your recycling efforts by listening to the recommendations of our recycling center in Orlando.  For other tips on how to properly dispose of other household items, contact us today.