Cambridgeshire County Council's recycling centres are all able to accept:
- fluorescent tubes and energy-saving light bulbs
- car batteries and household batteries
- chemicals
- paint
- computer monitors
- engine oil and filters
- fridges and freezers
- televisions.
Asbestos
The county council offers a free disposal service for small amounts of household cement-bonded asbestos. Special bags can be collected from the city council by prior arrangement, filled by the householder and taken to a designated site near Waterbeach.
To find out whether you can use this service please contact our customer services team for more information.
Energy saving light bulbs
Energy-saving light bulbs contain very small amounts of mercury - about 5 milligrams, small enough to fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen. This is the same as has been used in fluorescent tubes in kitchens and garages for decades.
Whilst no amount of mercury is good for you, the very small amount in a modern low energy light bulb is unlikely to cause any harm, even if the lamp is broken.
How to deal with a broken energy-saving light bulb
In the event of a broken CFL, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) advises that you:
- vacate the room and ventilate it for at least 15 minutes
- do not use a vacuum cleaner, but clean up using rubber gloves and aim to avoid creating and inhaling airborne dust
- sweep up all particles and glass fragments and place in a plastic bag
- wipe the area with a damp cloth, then add that to the bag and seal it.
Disposing of light bulbs
All energy-saving light bulbs should be recycled if possible. There are now a number of convenient locations in the city where you can do this - find out more here.
