The importance of recycling fluorescent tubes and bulbs
In many office buildings, hospitals, warehouses, shopping centres, manufacturing facilities, etc., fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulbs provide lighting. And each year, millions of these tubes and bulbs, which businesses should recycle, are simply discarded in standard waste.
Recycling benefits
It is crucial to understand the benefits of recycling fluorescent bulbs and tubes to ensure such specialised services are implemented at your business.
Recycling fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulbs remove these mercury-containing products from standard waste disposal streams.
Mercury is an essential component in many energy-efficient light bulbs. Since fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulbs are an estimated ten times more energy-efficient than other light bulbs, the cost of recycling fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulbs is insignificant compared to the cost-saving from using them as lighting.
Most of the millions of mercury-containing fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulbs – an estimated 70% of the mercury-based lighting devices used by businesses – are discarded with municipal solid waste is often incinerated or end up in landfills. As a result, elemental mercury can leak into natural resources and possibly contaminate the food chain. Therefore, it is essential to recycle fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulbs after they burn out.
What is recycled?
Most parts of fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulbs can be recycled, including the metal end caps. The recycled glass tubing can be used to manufacture other glass products, while the mercury can be salvaged for new fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulbs.
Experts in specialised recycling services
ENSA is a leading provider of specialised fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulb recycling services that promote environmental protection, recovery, and sustainability. Our recycling services see that harmful substances like the mercury found in fluorescent tubes and fluorescent bulbs are safely removed from your facility and adequately recycled and disposed of.
If you would like to know more about our specialised recycling services, Get in contact with a representative from ENSA Environmental today.