RECYCLING FLUORESCENT TUBES & LOW ENERGY LIGHT BULBS
Energy saving bulbs, also known as compact fluorescent lights (CFL) work just like a fluorescent strip light, but rather than being in a long strip the tube is folded in on itself to make a compact shape that can fit in a standard light fitting.
CFL bulbs use much less power than incandescent bulbs: when lit a 40watt incandescent bulb draw about 39 watts of power compared to 14 watts for a CFL.
So they not only save you money on your electricity bill but they last much longer than old-fashioned
Like fluorescent strip light CFL bulbs must not be placed in the general waste bin. This is because they both contain very small amount of mercury which poses a threat to the environment.
Where to take your bulbs for recycling
The good news is that Premier Waste has fluorescent and low wattage bulb collection point on every one of the recycling sites it operates in the region and the material can be successfully recycled. We also run a collection service for businesses.
The recycling process
The collected tubes and bulbs are sent to a specialist recycling facility in the UK.
The lamp treatment facility is a dry air-driven process which minimises production of mercury/phosphor sludge. The glass and metal end caps are separated and cleaned of the mercury/phosphor dust. The highest quality glass is then sent back to the manufacturers to be used to make new bulbs. The lower grade glass (for example, sunbed lamp glass) is recycled as aggregates and other lower grade applications.
Ferrous and non-ferrous metals from the bulbs are smelted down to make new metal.
The mercury/phosphor dust is sent for processing at a distillation plant in the UK where mercury is recovered for re-use.
So your old tubes and bulbs are used to make more tubes and bulbs.
