You can recycle your energy-saving light bulbs (compact fluorescent lamps) and household batteries at the outdoor recycling points at:
- Sainsbury's on Coldham's Lane
- Lammas Land car park
- Focus DIY on Tenison Road
- Cherry Hinton Hall car park
- Arbury Court car park
- Tesco on Newmarket Road
- the Recycling Centre at Butt Lane, off the A10 near Milton (this site also accepts fluorescent tubes, ordinary light bulbs and car batteries)
- the Recycling Centre at Gravel Pit Hill, off the A505 near Thriplow (this site also accepts fluorescent tubes, ordinary light bulbs and car batteries)
You can also recycle household batteries only (not light bulbs) at:
- The Customer Service Centre, Mandela House, Regent Street
- Waitrose (Hauxton Road, Trumpington), in the foyer
- Budgens (Arbury Court), in-store
What happens to the bulbs and batteries?
All light bulbs collected are sent to UK reprocessors who crush the bulbs, extract the chemicals for reuse and recycle the glass, plastic and metal. 98 per cent of the material collected can be recycled. You can find out more about this process in Recolight's lamp recycling guide.
The batteries are sorted according to their different chemical content, and are recycled either in the UK or in Europe.
Why recycle light bulbs?
Energy-saving light bulbs work in the same way as a fluorescent tube. They contain electronic parts and a tiny amount of mercury (each just enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen).
This mercury allows them to deliver their substantial energy saving benefits, but it is hazardous.
It is therefore much better not to put these lamps in with your black bin rubbish: a more environmentally friendly and responsible way to dispose of them is to ensure that the lamps are recycled at the end of their life.
Why recycle household batteries?
In the UK we throw away over 600 million batteries every year. While we recycle over 90 per cent of our lead-acid batteries - those used in vehicles - we only recycle 4 per cent of the non-lead-acid batteries that we waste in the UK.
This means that of about 25,000 tonnes of waste household and industrial batteries generated in the UK each year, just 1,000 tonnes is recycled.
Most batteries contain heavy metals, which are the main cause for environmental concern.
When disposed of incorrectly, these heavy metals can leak into the ground when the battery casing corrodes. This can contribute to soil and water pollution and endanger wildlife.
Reduce battery waste
- use mains-powered appliances or a mains adaptor wherever possible
- use rechargeable batteries, and ideally a solar-powered charger - these are now available from as little as £25
For more information about battery recycling, see the factsheet on the Waste Online website.
