Low Energy Bulb Disposal

The County Council have issued advice to consumers on how to dispose of low energy bulbs.

The sale of all traditional light bulbs will be phased out within the next three years and, as of this month, traditional 100 watt light bulbs will no longer be produced and sold in the UK.

They will need to be replaced with low energy light bulbs, in an effort to reduce energy consumption, carbon production, and save the average household as much as £37 per year.

Cllr Derrick Ashley, Executive Member responsible for Waste, said: "Low energy light bulbs are better for the environment than traditional bulbs, using around 80% less electricity, and emitting less CO2.

"These bulbs can also last up to ten times longer than 100 watt bulbs and therefore will need to replaced far less frequently, reducing waste. However, unlike traditional bulbs, low energy light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury. They should not be placed in your dustbin, as they could end up in landfill sites. Instead, they can actually be recycled from any household waste recycling centre (HWRC) in Hertfordshire, along with other fluorescent lighting tubes."

From the HWRC, the bulbs will be delivered to a reprocessing plant, where the glass and metal components will be separated and recycled into new items, and the hazardous mercury is recovered.

Waste recycling sites accepting low energy bulbs include Watton Road in Ware, Cole Green on the A414 and Pindar Road, Hoddesdon.