Disposing of Light Bulbs: You Must Know That!

Different illuminants must be recycled differently. We explain where you can dispose of energy saving bulbs, LEDs and light bulbs.

Disposing of light bulbs: Simple & uncomplicated!

Light bulbs (also known as incandescent lamps) may no longer be produced in the European Union because they are energy guzzlers. In some households, however, you can still find a few of these discontinued models. If a light bulb breaks, its disposal is still very simple: It can be disposed of in the household waste, as it is made of glass and metal – just like halogen lamps!

Attention: A light bulb has no place in a bottle bank, because its glass has a different melting point than packaging glass and this would therefore disturb the recycling process.

Disposing of energy saving lamps: Hazardous waste

Energy-saving lamps have the advantage that they require less energy than light bulbs – but they require special disposal: In them and also in fluorescent tubes there is mercury, which must not be disposed of in the residual waste under any circumstances, as this is a toxic heavy metal! If this heavy metal were to end up in the landfill via household waste, it could contaminate the groundwater and the environment. Incorrect disposal is therefore also punishable by a fine. Energy-saving lamps are therefore classified as hazardous waste that must be disposed of at collection points or at the recycling centre. There, it is also possible to recover the metals contained in the lamps – copper, tin and aluminium – in a complex process.

Disposing of LED correctly

Light bulbs consume a lot of electricity and are no longer produced anyway. Energy saving lamps contain poisonous mercury. As an alternative, the LED has become widely accepted. It consumes at least 70 percent less electricity than conventional light bulbs and is also very efficient and durable. In terms of its structure, an LED contains a housing, LED chips and semiconductor materials in the form of electronic components. It is therefore classified as an electrical appliance and does not belong in household waste, but rather at collection points or recycling centers.

Where can illuminants be disposed of properly?

Under no circumstances may energy-saving lamps, fluorescent tubes or LEDs be disposed of in the household waste! Professional disposal is only possible at the following places:

• Recycling yard/recyclable material yard
• Pollutant mobile
• Collection box in the shop