Is incandescent lamp recyclable?
Metal particles make recycling unfeasible... but that's not all
This type of lamp is not recyclable. The composition of glass is made in a different way, relying on small metal particles. To solve this problem, the Ministries of Mines and Energy, Science and Technology, and Industry and Commerce launched an ordinance, January 2011, banning the trade of incandescents until the year 2016. They will be progressively replaced by fluorescent and LED models . This process will save a lot of energy. To give you an idea, consumers will use 70 to 80% less energy with the new models. Not to mention that, in the case of LED lamps, recycling is much easier. There is also recycling in the case of fluorescents, but the decontamination process is more expensive and time-consuming.
The power and durability of the new lamps, in addition to economy, are incomparably superior to the same attributes when we talk about incandescents. Compact fluorescents (fits in small nozzles), which will be the main responsible for the replacement, are about five times more efficient and have a useful life of three to ten times longer than incandescent ones. LED lamps are about 6.5 times more efficient and will soon become 10 times more efficient, in addition to lasting 25 to 50 times longer. According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, savings will reach 10 terawatt hours (TWh/year) by 2030.
And at the time of disposal?
As it is not possible to recycle the incandescent lamp, the destination has to be the same as the other dry solid waste: the sanitary landfill. However, do this as a last resort. There are public and private posts for the disposal of all types of lamps. You can access them through the eCycle Recycling Stations section. Just click here, select the item "Lamps" and enter your address!
