Can You Recycle LED Light Bulbs?

The LED market is projected to grow by 12.6% annually between the years 2018 and 2023. And this isn’t even surprising – these lights work up to 90% more efficiently than traditional incandescent bulbs, consuming much less power.

They are even more efficient than compact fluorescent light bulbs and they last longer than the other types of bulbs and are even harder to break.

No matter how you look at it, LED light bulbs are the best option for anyone, whether you are into sustainability or not.

But as much as we love these bulbs, it is natural to wonder whether they can be recycled or not.

Fortunately, that is exactly what we are going to talk about today.

Can you recycle LED light bulbs?

Yes, you can recycle LED light bulbs and there are several ways to do so. For one, you can look for recycling bins in big stores like Home Depot, IKEA, and Lowes. Alternatively, you could check with your municipality’s safety department – they usually have specific days they have set apart for CFL and LED bulbs.

Some hardware stores and Batteries Plus stores also accept them for a fee. And if worse comes to worst, look out for mail-in programs.

How to prepare for LED bulb recycling

If you’re getting ready to recycle your LED bulbs, here are some preparation tips:

Ensure you turn off the lights before removing the bulbs from their fixtures.
When dealing with string lights, remember to remove them from any displays beforehand.

Depending on your chosen recycler, you may have to wrap your bulbs individually using plastic bags.

Why should you recycle LED light bulbs?

While LED lights only account for 2% of the waste stream and their recycling is not required in many communities, doing so comes with several advantages.

These include:

Aids recovery of non-renewable resources

Recycling LED lights makes it possible to recover metal and glass that would have otherwise gone to waste. Bearing in mind that 95% of an LED bulb can be recycled, this can go a long way in preserving the earth’s resources.

Gets rid of hazardous substances

One of the greatest appeals of LED light bulbs is that, unlike incandescent ones, they don’t contain mercury. However, they still have lead and arsenic – substances that we would rather not enter the waste stream. Fortunately, recycling helps with this.

Provides an easy yet sustainable way to dispose of LED light bulbs

Most times, recycling LED light bulbs is as easy as putting them in a box. So if you’re looking for an easy way to reduce your waste, this is it.

Take care of your LED light bulbs

Ultimately, the best way to ensure your LED light bulbs last as long as possible is to take proper care of them, especially when they are not in use.

So, keep them away from the kids and store them in a place that’s free of water and heat. Also, never shy away from donating them to those who need them!