BidòWhere to throw it › Light bulbs
Where do light bulbs go?
LED bulbs, energy-saving ones and fluorescent tubes are electronic waste (WEEE, «RAEE»): they go to the recycling centre or to shop containers. Incandescent and halogen ones generally go in residual waste.
What to do
- Take them whole, without breaking them: fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of mercury.
- Many electronics shops and supermarkets have a container for used bulbs.
What to avoid
- Do not put them in glass: the glass of light bulbs has a different composition.
Why it varies from municipality to municipality
The treatment of halogen and incandescent bulbs is not the same in all municipalities: some accept them at the recycling centre. Each municipality chooses with its operator which bins to use and what can go in them.
This page summarises a general, cautious rule: the real rules vary from municipality to municipality and from operator to operator (colour of bags, accepted waste, days, collection points). If in doubt, what your municipality or the service operator indicates prevails.
Check your municipality's rules
Search for your municipality to see the collection calendar, the recycling centre's opening hours and, where available, the link to the official guide.
Other waste
- Nappies and sanitary pads
- Used cooking oil
- Expired medicines
- Used batteries
- Broken glass, mirrors and ceramics
- Furniture, mattresses and bulky waste
- Used clothes and shoes
- Coffee capsules and pods
- Pizza boxes
- Polystyrene
- Dog and cat litter
- Small appliances and electronic devices
- Milk and juice cartons (Tetra Pak)
- Aerosol cans
- Disposable masks and gloves
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