What to do with used bulbs?
What can be done with used bulbs? (Photo Credits)
Light bulbs needs to be replaced regularly. And naturally, this would mean having to deal with its disposal. Is there ever a correct way to dispose a used light bulb? Or is there a way to upcycle it?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency or EPA has mentioned several reasons why burnt light bulbs should never be carelessly disposed, instead it should be recycled through the right recycling channels. American Lighting Association
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“Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. Other materials in the bulbs get reused. Recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.”
Read more here.
Incandescent bulbs
Digital trends also came up with a guide on how to dispose used light bulbs. While they also mentioned that CFL Bulbs need to be recycled, incandescent bulbs on the other hand can be thrown directly into the trash. They however emphasized that if one desires to recycle their used incandescent bulb then he can search for stores or groups in their community that accepts such for recycling purposes. Master Electrician
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“Incandescent light bulbs typically do not contain toxic chemicals, so you can throw them away with your regular trash. You do, however, need to be careful of glass shards, just as would when throwing away any other glass objects.”
Check out the rest of the writeup here.
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The website Boredpanda.com meanwhile shared more than 20 ways to upcycle used light bulbs. In their write-up cum photo gallery, the light bulbs are mostly used for décor or alternative lighting.
“When your light bulb stops working, don’t hurry to throw it out – with just a little bit of work, you can give it a new life. There are plenty of creative and fun ways to upcycle this object into many useful things. From vases and candy containers to terrariums and ornaments, the lightbulb’s form lends itself to plenty of functional and aesthetic projects.”
Check out their gallery here.
Light bulbs are indeed fun to upcycle!
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