During the last decade, the sales of energy-saving light bulb options in the United Kingdom has more than tripled. Despite that, many people still prefer to use incandescent bulbs because of their cheap price and soft light or halogen ones because they tend to be quite durable when used in an outdoor environment. This had led to one quite an impressive light bulb diversity in the country with the leading options featuring:
- Incandescent light bulbs
- LED light bulbs
- Halogen light bulbs
- Fluorescent or CFL light bulbs
But not all of these products can be disposed along with the rest of your normal household waste. The so-called WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) requires users and producers to handle and dispose of certain types of light bulbs in a more careful manner. How, why and which – we will get to all of these questions in a second.
Incandescent light bulbs
This is one of the least energy-efficient options on the market but, at the same time, these light bulbs do not contain harmful substances. That makes their disposal incredibly easy because you can throw them away with the rest of your daily domestic rubbish. Just make sure you put the bulb in a box because it can easily break. On the other hand, incandescent light bulbs are not recycled which is why the WEEE Directive does not like them.
LED light bulbs
This is the most popular option in offices. They are extra bright and they save money on electricity which is why companies love them. But can you rely on a professional office clearance service in London to dispose of old LED light bulbs? The answer is yes because these items do not contain toxic or chemical ingredients. What is more, they can be recycled. Therefore, it is highly advisable to have them collected by a licensed rubbish removal company in your area so that they can end up in a recycling facility.
Halogen light bulbs
Feel free to chuck those in the bin with the rest of your household waste. They are not classified as hazardous waste and they cannot be recycled. No point to bother your local council or a skilled team of rubbish collectors for a single halogen light bulb.
Fluorescent or CFL light bulbs
Lead, mercury, cadmium – fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs are abundant in toxic substances which is why they rank high on the list of hazardous waste. They can be recycled but it is not a good idea to handle or throw them away yourself. You can take them to a recycling facility or call your local council to ask for the nearest lamp waste disposal point. Since these points are part of an initiative supported by WEEE, you will not be charged when you drop your hazardous light bulbs there.
If you are not sure what type of a light bulb you are dealing with, do not hesitate to get in touch with your local council for tips and guidance. You can also ask a team of skilled rubbish collectors for their professional opinion on the matter.