Forum Topic

Disposing of fluorescent light tubes

Does anybody know what it is recommended locally to do with fluorescent light tubes? I googled the question and was told that they can't go into general waste and you are supposed to give them to a specialist disposal company.

Christine Mulligan ● 2079d4 Comments

I've remembered that the recycling bank provided at Sainsbury's Chiswick for the smaller bulbs was provided by Recolight.co.uk who have a very informative website.  You can look up commercial light bulb recycling points there as well.

Philippa Bond ● 2079d

Smaller fluorescent bulbs you can definitely dispose of more easily and generally these can be taken back by the companies selling them eg Robert Dyas and Curry's.  In the past I've also used Ikea and the big Sainsbury's in Chiswick which certainly used to have a container in the car park with the other recycling banks.You should always check nowadays when buying electrical items whether the company you are buying from will take back your old items.  This is easier and cheaper than doing this separately as you need to use a licenced collector.  This avoids the chance of your waste being flytipped for which both the flytipper and you can be prosecuted and heavily fined.www.recyclenow.comLBE is one of the members of the West London Waste Authority and their website is very informative.www.westlondonwaste.gov.uk

Philippa Bond ● 2079d

Sound advice there Philippa.
Fluorescent tubes contain toxic chemicals. Both Sterling Road and the Greenford recycling centre have dedicated disposal facilities for tubes. At Greenford, it is on the right about 50yards after you pass under the height restriction.

N V Brooks ● 2079d

I think you need to approach the problem differently.  For a start be mindful that there is a difference between Business and Household waste.  Business waste is chargeable and not accepted everywhere.You are posting on Ealing Today.  So I presume you are in Ealing.  Next step:  www.ealing.gov.uk and look at recycling and waste on front page.Look at what you can dispose of at Stirling Road and Greenford Reuse & Recycling sites.  Stirling Road you will see is Household only.  Greenford takes both.Fluorescent bulbs come under Hazardous waste and need to be treated with care so they don't get broken and the long tubes are much more tricky to handle.  The short ones you will find under cupboards or over bathroom mirrors less so!  The round compact ones (CFL) ones also easier!  Everybody is now replacing these with LEDs which are much more efficient. Have you already looked at that LBE website?

Philippa Bond ● 2079d