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How to Recycle Fluorescent Tubes

How to Recycle Fluorescent Tubes

Updated 3 May 2018 11:21 AM

Though efficient to use and install, fluorescent light tubes can be cumbersome to dispose of. Fluorescent tubes contain small amounts of mercury and are not suitable for disposal in council rubbish bins.

There is a scheme called FluoroCycle, supported by the federal government that  aims to increase the recycling of lamps that contain mercury and reduce the amount of mercury entering the environment. 

There are two recyclers of flourescent lights -  CMA Ecocycle and Toxfree who are approved as Recyclers through the FluoroCycle Scheme, but many collectors across Australia who have been approved as Collectors and have committed to ensure that collected lamps are forwarded to either CMA Ecocycle or Toxfree for recycling.

Some of these locations include Mitre 10, Sita, Lamp Recyclers and Ikea, along with state based hardware chains like in SA - True Value and Banner Hardware.

Simply put your location into the FIND A RECYCLER box on the right, choose your materials and you will get a bunch of drop off options close to you.



Hazardous waste schemes will also take your fluorescent tubes, including: Household Chemical CleanOut NSW, Zero Waste SA, and Waste Authority WA.

Your local transfer station will also take your fluorescent tubes - in the hazardous waste area.

Image: Shutterstock

Do you know a recycler of this item who would value being listed? Please let us know! 

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Science Notes
When fluorescent tubes and CFLs are recycled, they are crushed and the different materials are separated.
  • The glass is very fine and is recycled into glass wool used for home insulation
  • Aluminium is one of the most readily recyclable products on the planet. The tube ends are separated and then reused.
  • Mercury is distilled and reclaimed
  • Phosphor powder is used in fertiliser

Related Tip
If a fluorescent tube is broken, it should be attended to immediately.

Make sure the area is ventilated, put on some rubber gloves, pick up, then wipe up the area with a damp disposable wipe and wrap the contents in newspaper. Use sticky tape to pick up small left over pieces and powder if any of the contents have fallen on your soft furnishings. For extra precaution, vacuum the area as well, but you will need to dispose of the vacuum bag or thoroughly wipe clean the vacuum cleaner canister.

Seal the newspaper wrapped fragments inside a plastic bag to minimise the chance of the contents dispersing and cuts occurring from broken glass.

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