Dispose of energy-saving lamps: you must pay attention to this
Energy-saving lamps should be disposed of safely for the sake of the environment. We show you what you have to consider when disposing of it and where you can find collection points in your area.
Dispose of energy-saving lamps properly: you should pay attention to this
There are a few milligrams of mercury in every energy-saving lamp. If an energy-saving lamp breaks during operation or shortly after being switched off, toxic vapors escape, which damage the human nervous system.
- If an energy-saving lamp that is still warm breaks, you should ideally hold your breath, open a window and leave the room for a few minutes. If the lamp breaks when it is cold, hardly any mercury is released.
- Avoid vacuuming the remains of an energy-saving lamp with a vacuum cleaner. The small toxic particles can be distributed throughout the room via the exhaust air from the vacuum cleaner. Better grab a broom and put the leftovers in a bag or a small box.
- If you want to dispose of your old energy-saving lamps, you must not use household waste for this. It is hazardous waste that you can deliver to the nearest recycling center.
Dispose of energy-saving lamps: find collection points at Lightcycle
Targeted recycling conserves resources and our environment.
- Since energy-saving lamps contain toxic mercury, you should take the lamps to a special collection point at the end of their service life. The Lightcycle website not only shows collection boxes, but also provides many other tips for consumers.
- To view collection points nearby, you must enter your postcode here on Lightcycle. You will then be shown a list of all acceptance points, including the address and contact details within a 38 km radius.
- You should throw the lamps clean and unpacked into the collection container. You can read more about disposal here.
Find acceptance points for energy-saving lamps using the app
You can also search for collection points on the go. The free iOS and Android app "eSchrott" shows you all the acceptance points in your area and even navigates you to your destination if you wish. Here's a quick guide:
- Download the app for iOS or Android.
- Open the application and enter "private consumer" at the start.
- Tap once on the round button "Lighting fixture" and then on "Search" at the top.
- Now enter your zip code or use the integrated location function to display the available collection points.
Free disposal in your area
- The municipal collection points have the mandate to collect valuable raw materials as well as toxins separately and to dispose of them appropriately or to the recycling cycle. You can also dispose of energy-saving lamps at your nearest recycling center
- In some cities and municipalities, in addition to the local collection points, there are mobile collection trucks that regularly visit different locations in the order area. These are usually very central and can also be easily reached by public - a clear advantage over the recycling centers, which are often located on the outskirts of the municipality. People with reduced mobility can also dispose of batteries, paints and varnishes or energy-saving lamps at the Giftmobil. Of course, this is also free of charge.
In the next practical tip, we will show you what the number of lumens means for energy-saving lamps.