Seemingly trivial question, which can have serious consequences for the environment. Do you know where to properly throw different types of bulbs? Many of us make fundamental mistakes in their disposal.

Throwing out the bulb into the basket may seem like a simple thing, but it’s not. Some types of bulbs contain hazardous substances, that can damage the environment. Therefore, it is important to know where which type of bulb belongs.

Classic bulbs can end up in mixed waste, but beware of shards!

Traditional fiber bulbs do not contain toxic substances, so you can throw them into normal municipal waste. However, experts recommend wrapping them in paper first to prevent breakage and injury. These bulbs do not belong to the glass container, as many mistakenly think.

Classic bulbs are easy to dispose of, but represent only a fraction of the bulbs we use today. Modern energy -saving lamps require a completely different approach.

Beware of fluorescent lamps! They contain dangerous mercury

Fluorescent lamps, also known as economical bulbs, contain a small amount of mercury. This substance is extremely harmful to the environment and human health. It is therefore necessary to treat them with caution.

You can hand over the fluorescent lamps in the store when buying new ones – most dealers have special containers for this. The alternative is to take them to the collection yard or to the location of electrical waste.

What to do if the fluorescent lamp breaks? Follow the following steps:

  • Ventilate the room immediately
  • If the bulb is still in the sleeve, turn off the electricity and safely remove the residues
  • Collect all fragments with rubber gloves thoroughly
  • Place the waste in a plastic bag, close it firmly and hand over at the appropriate collection point

LED bulbs and halogens – recycling is crucial

Although LED bulbs do not contain dangerous substances such as mercury, they do not belong to normal waste or to the glass container. They contain valuable materials that can be recycled.

The best solution is to take them to the collection yard or to the place of collection of electrical waste. Also do the halogen bulbs. Many lighting stores also accept used recycling LED bulbs.

By properly disposing of bulbs not only protect the environment, but also contribute to the effective use of resources. Recycling allows the use of valuable materials, reducing the need for new raw materials.

Where do we throw bulbs? Up to 60 percent of Slovaks don’t know. Sorting this waste is easy