- 1Allow bulbs to cool completely before handling
- 2Wrap in newspaper or bubble wrap to prevent breaking
- 3Remove from fixtures carefully
- 4Separate by type (standard, flood, automotive)
- 5Keep different wattages together
- Specialty bulb recyclers
- Some hardware stores
- E-waste centers
- Scrap metal dealers
Glass is different from container glass and requires specialized recycling. Metal components are valuable for recovery.
Recovers tungsten filament, specialized quartz glass, and aluminum components. Reduces demand for mining new tungsten, a conflict mineral.
Accepted
- Standard halogen bulbs (A19, A21)
- Halogen flood lights (PAR30, PAR38)
- Halogen spotlights
- Automotive halogen headlights
- Halogen desk lamps
- Halogen under-cabinet bulbs
Not Accepted
- Severely broken bulbs with exposed tungsten
- Halogen bulbs with integrated transformers
- Bulbs still in working condition (consider donation)
Estimated value: $0.25-0.75 per bulb in tungsten and aluminum recovery
- High operating temperature
- Quartz glass under pressure
Why are halogens being phased out?
They use 3-5 times more energy than LEDs and have much shorter lifespans (1,000-2,000 hours vs 15,000+ for LEDs).
Can I touch halogen bulbs with my fingers?
Avoid touching the glass with bare skin when installing, but this doesn't affect recycling. Oils from skin can cause hot spots.
Are halogen bulbs worth recycling?
Yes, the tungsten filament is valuable and quartz glass requires specialized processing that prevents landfill waste.