You can recycle your energy-saving light bulbs (compact fluorescent lamps) and household batteries at the outdoor recycling points at:
- Sainsbury's on Coldham's Lane
- Lammas Land car park
- Focus DIY on Tenison Road
- Chesterton Recreation Ground, Church StreetÂ
- Arbury Court car park
- Tesco on Newmarket Road
- the Recycling Centre at Butt Lane, off the A10 near Milton (this site also accepts fluorescent tubes, ordinary light bulbs and car batteries)
- the Recycling Centre at Gravel Pit Hill, off the A505 near Thriplow (this site also accepts fluorescent tubes, ordinary light bulbs and car batteries)
What happens to the bulbs?
All light bulbs collected are sent to UK reprocessors who crush the bulbs, extract the chemicals for reuse and recycle the glass, plastic and metal. 98 per cent of the material collected can be recycled. You can find out more about this process in Recolight's lamp recycling guide.
Why recycle light bulbs?
Energy-saving light bulbs work in the same way as a fluorescent tube. They contain electronic parts and a tiny amount of mercury (each just enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen).
This mercury allows them to deliver their substantial energy saving benefits, but it is hazardous.
It is therefore much better not to put these lamps in with your black bin rubbish: a more environmentally friendly and responsible way to dispose of them is to ensure that the lamps are recycled at the end of their life.
