I haven’t seen an incandescent bulb in ages, and I’m sure you haven’t either. This is because our lighting technology has come a long way. These days, with the invention of fluorescent lights, nobody uses incandescent bulbs anymore.
The primary reason behind this is energy savings. Compact fluorescent lights are designed to use up to 80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs. And, the greenhouse gas saving is equivalent to more than 800,000 cars annually. Plus, everyone agrees that fluorescent lights are much more attractive than incandescent bulbs, right?
But what happens when your fluorescent light runs out of life? Do you simply dump it with the rest of your rubbish? Today, I will tell you exactly what you need to do with your fluorescent tubes, lamps and globes once they run out of life. But, before that, let’s take a look at some stats on the recycling and recovery of fluorescent lights in Australia.
Fluorescent lights recycling and recovery
Most people know that fluorescent lights are environmentally friendly. But this is only true to some extent. While they may be very energy efficient, fluorescent lights do contain some amounts of mercury (up to 15mg in a fluorescent tube). And, in case you’re unaware, mercury is a dangerous substance that poses many health and environmental concerns. As such, fluorescent lights must always be disposed of carefully.
However, it’s important to note that fluorescent lights can be recycled only to a certain extent; aluminium is the only major product recovered. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable and can be used in aeroplane manufacturing or to remanufacture commodity items.
Suez Recycling & Recovery reports that Australians consume over 60 million fluorescent lamps and tubes annually. Sadly, only 1% of all the fluorescent lamps and tubes that we consume are recycled. Furthermore, it is estimated that 95% of all mercury lamps are sent to landfills across Australia.
How to dispose of fluorescent lights properly
Fluorescent tubes and lamps should be disposed of correctly and not dumped with other types of waste. To ensure that your fluorescent lights are recycled, hire a reputed Brisbane rubbish removal company, such as 4 Waste Removals. We’re committed to protecting the environment, and we’ll ensure your waste is not dumped into a landfill.
We are a certified and licensed waste removal company providing services across Brisbane Southside. We also have access to several waste treatment plants and recycling depots in the area.
Simply hire our junk skip bins or use our hands-on waste removal service to ensure that your waste is disposed of properly. Regardless of how much or how little waste you have, you can count on us for affordable and efficient waste removal.
Conclusion:
Who doesn’t use fluorescent lights these days? Fluorescent lights may be energy efficient, but they contain some mercury. Given that mercury is hazardous to human health, fluorescent lights must be disposed of properly.
Fluorescent lights can be recycled. Aluminium is the major product recovered from recycling fluorescent lights. Sadly, Australians consume a tremendous amount of fluorescent lights, and only 1% of it is recycled. The rest of it simply ends up in landfills with all other types of waste.
You must make sure that your fluorescent lights are recycled. Simply hire our services at 4 Waste Removals, and we’ll ensure that your waste is sent for recycling, not to a landfill.
Call us at 07 3343 3030 today to make your waste woes a thing of the past!