Fluorescent tubes can be very harmful to the environment, wildlife and humans. That’s because fluorescent lighting contains mercury, a highly toxic metal. If it’s not disposed of correctly, mercury can disperse into the atmosphere, allowing it to contaminate water supplies and harm wildlife.
The most important thing is NOT to put fluorescent tubes into your general waste or recycling bin – the mercury content means they are designated as hazardous waste.
There are several specialist recycling services, especially for commercial premises using lots of fluorescent tubes, although the majority of these do not accept broken or damaged tubes.
Domestic users should take their fluorescent tubes to their local household recycling centre. Many supermarkets offer recycling facilities but not necessarily for fluorescent tubes. Check before you head out.
If your fluorescent lighting is damaged, you need to minimise the number of people and pets exposed to it.
Turn off any central heating or air conditioning you have on to prevent the toxins being spread from room to room.
Open any windows and doors to air the room and use stiff paper, cardboard or a disposable wet wipe to transfer the fragments into an airtight container. Use sticky tape to collect any smaller fragments.
Do not vacuum unless all your attempts to clean up the fragments have failed as this can spread the mercury powders or vapours when you next use your vacuum. If you do vacuum, empty the bag straight away afterwards heeding the advice from above.
