The best way to tackle our growing lighting waste problem is to recycle old lights — here’s a guide to recycling lighting waste:
Australia is facing a serious lighting waste challenge, however lighting recycling is on the rise as people realise how easy and convenient it is.
Millions of old light bulbs, tubes and lamps are thrown into landfills around the country every year even though it’s bad for the environment.
A guide to recycling lighting waste
What types of lighting can be recycled?
Light bulbs that contain mercury must be recycled, including:
- Fluorescent tubes
- Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
- Sodium vapour and other high-intensity lamps.
However, other types of lights that are mercury-free should also be recycled, such as:
- Incandescent light globes
- Halogen down-lights
- LED lights
- Smart lights
- Other lighting-associated waste including metal lamp fittings and electrical wiring.
How is lighting waste recycled?
As with any recycling program, one of the keys to success is simplifying the logistics. If we can deliver a really simple system for lighting recycling, Australia can become a star in diverting lighting waste from landfill.
For relatively small quantities of lighting waste, Ecocycle’s solution is to offer pre-paid collection boxes. We have long boxes for fluorescent tubes as well as cartons for globe-type lamps such as CFLs. These can also be used for halogen and incandescent lighting.
For organisations producing larger amounts of lighting waste we can provide on-site wheelie bins or large stillages – the sky is the limit. Whether it’s boxes or bins, all you need to do is fill them up then give us a call. Wherever you are in Australia, we take care of collection and safe recycling.
Households and small businesses with only a few lamps can get in on the act too. Many councils accept fluorescent tubes and CFLs for recycling, either at their offices or their local recycling depots. Check your council’s website for details or visit Recycling Near You.
Why recycle lighting waste?
There are a range of benefits to recycling lighting waste, including protecting the environment from the perilous effects of mercury contamination.
When fluorescent tubes and other mercury-containing lights end up in landfill, the mercury inside them can leak into the air, soil and waterways. Just one fluoro tube contains enough mercury to pollute 30,000 litres of water beyond a safe level of drinking.
Recycling lighting waste also helps recover resources, including mercury, aluminium and phosphor, that can be reused in new products. Recovering old resources is better for the environment because repurposing old materials in new products uses a fraction of the energy that mining new materials needs.
Start recycling lighting waste today
When it comes to lighting recycling, Australia is well placed to meet the challenge.
Ecocycle offers a range of complete logistical and recycling packages for all of the types of lighting waste anywhere in Australia.
To get on board, give us a call on 1300 32 62 92 or fill out the form below. One of our lighting waste specialists will be happy to recommend a lamp disposal and recycling solution to meet your needs.
