To dispose of light bulbs properly, here are the guidelines to follow, according to the type of bulb

:

• Incandescent and Halogen Bulbs These can go into your household waste because they do not have harmful chemicals

. Wrap them in paper or cardboard to prevent injury if broken

. These bulbs cannot be recycled because the wires are difficult to separate from the glass

• LED Bulbs While you can throw LED bulbs away with your household rubbish, recycling them is a better practice because it conserves the precious metals and glass they’re made of

• Energy-Saving Lamps and Fluorescent Tubes Dispose of these at recycling centers, collection points, or retail return locations

. These bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, so do not throw them away with household waste

. If a bulb breaks, clean it up carefully to avoid releasing mercury vapor into the air

Recycling centers and municipal collection points are the best choices for disposing of old light bulbs

. Many supermarkets, DIY stores, and electronic stores offer collection boxes and take-back systems

. Some manufacturers take back old LEDs when you buy new ones