Why do light bulbs have to be recycled?

All light bulbs can be recycled. In the majority of bulbs the process results in glass and metal being extracted and sold back into the market place.

In particular fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs (the energy saving ones you buy from us) MUST be recycled as these are now classified as hazardous waste.

As hazardous waste these broken bulbs are not allowed into landfill and so have to be recycled. The reason they are not allowed into landfill is because they contain mercury.

The Mercury from 1 single Fluorescent Tube is enough to pollute 30,000 Litres of Water beyond the safe drinking level in the UK.

How do we do it?

We collect as many broken bulbs as possible and store them in large containers at our warehouse. Once a week these containers are collected by an authorised recycling company or waste broker. This is organised through Recolight. Recolight is a not for profit organisation that is charged with driving the UK lamp industry towards full compliance with new EU regulations on lamp recycling.

The two main companies that receive all our broken bulbs are Lampcare and Mercury Recycling.

What does it cost?

We offer this service to our customers for free! We are currently charged a recycling fee by our light bulb manufacturers and this allows us to send our broken bulbs back via Recolight. All we ask of our customers is to NOT throw the bulbs in household rubbish but to either bring them into ANY of our branches OR send them back to us at 189 Clapham Road, London, SW9 0QE.

Bulk/commercial lamp recycling please call 07919333901 for a quote.