Specialist disposal
How to recycle light bulbs
Energy saving and LED bulbs can be recycled at most larger tips and some shops. Old style filament bulbs cannot be recycled and go in the waste bin.
Tips
Most larger tips take energy saving bulbs.
Shops
Some shops have a box for used bulbs.
Energy saving bulbs mean less waste
Recycle Now says low energy bulbs use less electricity and need replacing less often, so they also cut waste.
Key facts
- Binmap lists 119 places that say they take light bulbs, including 114 tips.
- Another 406 places may take light bulbs, but they do not say so. Check before you go.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
Written by Binmap using guidance from Recycle Now.
Advice from national bodies
What to do
- Wrap bulbs so they do not break on the way.
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not put bulbs in a bottle bank. They are not the same glass as bottles and jars.
Kinds of place that take it
- Specialist disposal points
- Recycling centres
- Electrical recycling points
More local guides
Other kinds of place
Binmap is independent and is not run by any council.