Domestic rubbish removal in Chippendale and elsewhere in Sydney is to a certain extent affected by local councils, however light globes should never be placed in kerbside bins.

There are companies that recycle some or all household lighting waste, and not all light globes are the same when it comes to disposal needs..

Compact Fluorescent Lamps are energy efficient lighting globes; however they contain toxic mercury. It is crucial that mercury be kept out of landfill upon disposal. Mercury is a neurotoxin, which means it is harmful to the nervous systems of both humans and animals, even in tiny amounts. Millions of fluorescent lamps and tubes are discarded each year in Australia, and this translates to huge source of harmful mercury finding its way into the environment.

One fluorescent lighting tube can pollute thirty thousand litres of water, and as of now, an appalling ninety six percent of globes are dumped into landfill.

CMA Ecocycle is Australia’s only EPA-approved mercury recycler. It works to recover mercury from used light globes, as well as recycle aluminium, glass, and other metals. SUEZ is another company that also collects and recycles fluorescent lighting, as does Lamp Recyclers Australia.

Fluorescent light tubes and globes are recycled by being crushed and the materials are sorted into their component parts. Mercury is distilled from the phosphor powder and reused. Glass is recycled into glass wool for home insulation materials. Aluminium is reused in manufacturing other products. Phosphor powder is used to make fertilisers.

Never place globes or bulbs in household recycling bins as they can break..

Responsible citizens and corporations will recycle all:

• Compact fluorescent lamps used residentially
• Linear fluorescent lamps
• HID lamps (used in street lighting)
• Neon tubes used in signage

Older incandescent light globes, which are being phased out of production, should be disposed of with other rubbish in landfill. These are not toxic to the environment and the glass will not melt in recycling facilities.

For recycling and rubbish removal in Chippendale, including safe and responsible disposal of fluorescent globes and tubes, call AA Adonis Rubbish Removal services today.