Lightbulbs - Recycling Process
Methodology
A few methods are used in the UK to recycle energy saving lamps and fluorescent tubes. One of these methods is outlined below:
- The lamps and tubes are pre-broken
- They are washed to remove contaminants
- A distiller is then used to extract the elemental mercury, which is reused, and phosphor powder
- The glass, metals and plastics are broken down into smaller pieces
- These materials are then separated and sent on to other recycling plants for further recycling, and turned into something new!
End products of light bulb and fluorescent tube recycling
- Elemental Mercury
- Distiller Phosphor Powder
- Glass
- Metals
- Cardboard
- Plastics
