Why do I need to be careful how I dispose of my Energy Saving Light bulbs and Fluorescent tubes?

Energy Saving Light bulbs function in much the same way as a fluorescent tube. They contain electronic components and a tiny amount of mercury (each just enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen). This mercury allows them to deliver their substantial energy saving benefits. It is therefore much better not to put these lamps in the normal household waste. A more environmentally friendly and responsible way of  disposal is to ensure that the lamps are recycled at the end of their life. You should therefore separate them from your normal household waste.  They can be disposed of at your local authority Household Waste Recycling Centre in the separate containers that they have available for these lamps. These containers are then returned to specialist companies for recycling.

New Energy Saving Light bulbs and Fluorescent tubes sold today now carry the following informative mark as a reminder that they should be separately recycled:

How should I deal with a broken Energy Saving Light bulb or Fluorescent tube?

Scientists at the Health Protection Agency have reviewed the potential health effects of mercury exposure from broken compact fluorescent lightbulbs. They found the exposure is likely to be very small - and much lower than from other broken mercury containing products such as some types of thermometer and barometers. Professor Virginia Murray, Consultant Medical Toxicologist, said: "Compact fluorescent lightbulbs contain a tiny amount of mercury - roughly enough to cover the tip of a ball point pen.  A small proportion of this could be released into a room if the bulb is broken, but this does not pose a health risk to anyone immediately exposed.

"As a precautionary measure, the HPA advise that the room should be ventilated and the bulb cleaned up and disposed of properly."

The clean up should involve:

On hard surfaces wipe the area with a damp cloth, place that in the plastic bag and seal it.

Sticky tape (e.g. duct tape or similar) can be used to pick up small residual pieces or powder from soft furnishings and then placed in a sealed plastic bag.

The plastic bag doesn't need to be air tight, but should be reasonably sturdy. Place it in another, similar bag and seal that one as well (again, this minimises cuts from broken glass). The public should contact the local authority for advice on where to dispose of broken or intact CFLs as they should be treated as hazardous waste.

Producer's and Retailer's responsibilities - What the Regulations say

From 1st July 2007, waste Energy Saving Light bulbs and Fluorescent lamps have been subject to the requirements of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. Those who manufacture and sell energy efficient bulbs provide information to the public about how to deal with waste bulbs and other WEEE. Some retailers take them back in store, however, most retailers have provided funding support to local authority Household Waste Recycling Centres.From this point, producers fund the transport, treatment and recycling, where most of the mercury can be recovered. This process is managed by Recolight on their behalf.

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