A UK binman with 13 years of experience in waste disposal has settled the debate on whether light bulbs can be thrown away at home. Ashley, who shares recycling tips on his TikTok account @theno1.binman, explained that while some bulbs are safe for the general waste bin, others must be recycled separately.
Which light bulbs can go in the general waste bin?
Ashley said that old-school incandescent light bulbs can be put in the general waste bin. These bulbs contain no toxic materials, so they can be disposed of in the regular bin without any repercussions.
For practical purposes, he suggested storing the bulb in its original packaging before throwing it away. This ensures that if it breaks inside the bin, it cannot tear or damage anything, though Ashley noted that this is not essential.
LED bulbs must be recycled
When it comes to newer light bulbs like LEDs, Ashley warned: "You can't put them in your normal waste." In the UK, LED bulbs are classified as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and must be recycled separately to conserve the precious metals and glass they are made of.
Ashley instructed: "You have to take them to a hardware store like B&Q or to the recycling centre." Stores such as B&Q, Currys, and Tesco are legally required to provide recycling points under WEEE regulations.
Many councils also offer kerbside collections of bulbs if placed in a separate clear bag with the rest of your recycling, so it is worth checking with your local authority if they provide this service.
Other bulb types and their disposal
Fluorescent tubes contain mercury, which can pollute the environment and water supplies if not disposed of properly. These should be taken to a local recycling centre.
Halogen light bulbs cannot be recycled and contain no toxic material, so they can be thrown away in the normal rubbish bin, on par with standard incandescent bulbs.
Energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs, also known as compact fluorescent lamps, contain a small amount of mercury and should not be thrown in with regular rubbish. They can be recycled and should be taken to a local recycling centre.
