Recycling of LED Lamps

Light-emitting diodes or LEDs are rapidly replacing incandescent and mercury bearing lamps in homes and offices. With the average life expectancy of an LED bulb nearly 50 times greater than an incandescent light and 6 times longer than a compact fluorescent lamp, LEDs provide a great opportunity to reduce energy use, save money, and benefit the environment. But even after a long life, the time will come when LEDs no longer work and enter the waste stream.

Although LEDs do not contain mercury and should comply with international agreements eliminating the use of hazardous materials such as lead and arsenic, recycling defective LEDs can further improve their environmental benefit by conserving natural resources.

LED lamps have created new opportunities and challenges for lamp recyclers. On one hand, LEDs often use steel bases, aluminum housings, and copper circuitry that are desirable to recyclers. On the other hand, some LEDs are comprised of little more than tiny glass bulbs with thin metal leads, plastic frames, and plastic lenses. These lamps provide very little recycling benefit. EcoLights will accept all types of LED lamps and recycle the materials to the best extent possible, but any LEDs that do not contain recyclable materials must be managed as solid waste.

EcoLights Recycling Kits

LEDs can be placed in any of EcoLights pre-paid, mail-in recycling kits. Because they do not contain mercury, there is no special labeling or handling requirements for shipping LED lamps.

Visit www.ecolights.com for details and to order recycling kits.